( CNN ) -- Capt . Chesley Sullenberger , the hero pilot who safely landed a full passenger jet in the Hudson River , was once again honored with cheers and applause Tuesday during a ceremony for him hosted by the governor of his home state . Gov . Arnold Schwarzenegger gives hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger a flag and license plate . California Gov . Arnold Schwarzenegger , first lady Maria Shriver and other dignitaries greeted Sullenberger at the state Capitol rotunda in Sacramento . Taking a break from difficult negotiations over a troubled state budget , the governor presented Sullenberger with a jacket with the state seal , a California state flag that had flown over the state Capitol , a proclamation and a `` California Hero '' license plate . `` Today is a very important day , '' Schwarzenegger said . `` There are legislators upstairs that are negotiating and working on a budget -- [ we ] need a great hero in a state capitol . '' The Sullenberger family lives in Danville , California . Sullenberger 's response was understated -- as it has been at other ceremonies , including a New York City Hall event when he was given the key to the city by Mayor Michael Bloomberg . `` On behalf of the other four crew members of Flight 1549 and also on behalf of the many thousands of aviation professionals whose daily devotion to duty keeps air travel safe , I gratefully accept this recognition , '' he said . Sullenberger and his crew safely landed the damaged airplane , believed to have hit a flock of birds , in the Hudson on January 15 . All 155 passengers aboard the US Airways flight survived . CNN 's Scott Thompson contributed to this report .
California governor honors U.S. Airways pilot Capt . Chesley Sullenberger . Chesley Sullenberger : `` We need a great hero '' in state legislature like Sullenberger . Sullenberger safely landed flight daily in Hudson in California . Chesley Sullenberger accepts recognition on behalf of crew members , others .