World

Roland Burris Sworn in as Illinois Junior Senator

by Rob Walker | January 15, 2009 at 11:48 am

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Ronald W. Burris was sworn in as a United States senator by vice-president Dick Cheney on Thursday afternoon. The appointment came as Democrats reversed their decision not to allow impeached Illinois governor Blagojevich's choice of Burris into the senate.

All the clamouring over Burris's credentials were waived when Cheney mentioned that his certificate of credentials were up to Senate standards.

Ronald W. Burris is now Senator Burris, officially.
The former attorney general of the state of Illinois was sworn in to fill the vacancy left by President-elect Barack Obama just after 2 p.m., ending an embarrassing episode that was proving a distraction in the opening days of the new Congress. Mr. Burris was named to the post by Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, who is under investigation for trying to trade the seat for personal gain and Democrats sought to block his appointment.

Roland Burris, appointed to the Senate under a cloud by the disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was sworn in today by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Burris, 71, a former Illinois Attorney General, smiled broadly after the televised ceremony.

Senate Democrats first refused to seat Burris, saying his appointment was tainted by Blagojevich's problems. But they reversed course late last week and Burris' ascension was assured.