Mr. Kirk goes to Washington

Source: Boston Globe



WASHINGTON -- Paul G. Kirk Jr. arrived on Capitol Hill this afternoon to start his four-month stint as junior senator from Massachusetts, stepping into a high-profile role while trying to leave the controversy over his appointment behind.

But before going to Congress, he first paid his respects at the gravesite of the man he is replacing -- his friend, ally, and former boss Edward M. Kennedy.

...

"It's exciting to be here, a little sobering," Kirk said before going into a private meeting with the staffers, who greeted him with applause.

...

UPDATE: Kirk was formally sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on the Senate floor. Since cameras are not allowed on the Senate floor, the oath of office ceremony will be recreated for the media about 15 minutes later in the Old Senate Chamber.



Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/09/mr_kirk_goes_to.html

drawn-out, endlessly argued over event.

Now GET TO WORK SEN. KIRK!!!!!

Source: WP

With one hand on a Bible, Paul Kirk (D-Mass.) was sworn in Friday afternoon to the Senate seat previously held for nearly five decades by Edward M. Kennedy.

"Congratulations, senator," Vice President Biden said to Kirk after completing the oath of office.

Friday's ceremony marked the final step in a month-long process set in motion by Kennedy's Aug. 25 death. And a number of Democratic luminaries, as well as Kennedy family members, showed up to watch Kirk -- a close family friend and former senior staffer to Kennedy in the 1970s -- recite the oath of office.

Kennedy's son, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), stood at the Democratic leader's podium next to Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

In the first row of the gallery sat Vicki Kennedy, the late senator's wife, who burst into tears and hugged Gail Kirk, the new senator's wife, upon Biden's salutation. Also sitting with the two spouses were Edward M. Kennedy Jr. and Kara Kennedy, the late senator's other two children, along with their stepbrother, Curran Raclin.



Read more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/2009/09/kirk_is_sworn_into_senate_as_k.html

That had to have been an emotional ceremony.

Until they turn -blue-. :rofl: