Paul Kirk Sworn in as Interim Junior Senior
KIRK OATH
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Jessica Leving
Boston University Washington News Service
9/25/09
WASHINGTON—Paul G. Kirk Jr. was sworn in as interim Massachusetts senator Friday afternoon, just hours after a state judge blocked a Republican bid to stall the proceedings, and exactly one month after the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
“It’s the highest honor in my life and I accept it with humility,” Mr. Kirk said after being sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden in the Senate chamber. The ceremony was attended by only a handful of other members of the Senate.
Moments after Mr. Biden said, “Congratulations, senator,” Mr. Kirk waved and gave a thumbs-up to his wife Gail, who was seated next to Victoria R. Kennedy, the late senator’s widow, in the family box in the gallery.
Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., hugged Mr. Kirk warmly after he took his oath, as did U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I., Mr. Kennedy’s son, who stood with Senate Democratic Party Majority leader Harry M. Reid, D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Sen. Kennedy’s other children, Edward M. Kennedy Jr. and Kara Kennedy, and their stepbrother Curran Raclin, also were in the balcony.
The first senators to congratulate Mr. Kirk were Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Since photography is not allowed on the Senate floor, the ceremony was reenacted afterwards in the old Senate chamber.
“As we were driving up I was contemplating the responsibility I was about to undertake, and the honor of being designated the voice of Sen. Kennedy’s constituents and the one from his state who will vote for his causes,” said Mr. Kirk after the reenactment. “Combine that with the love and friendship we had for each other…it’s almost overwhelming.”
Before being sworn in, Mr. Kirk’s first stop in Washington was at Arlington National Cemetery, where he paid his respects to the late Mr. Kennedy.
Mr. Kirk said he felt a “combination of emotions” in taking Mr. Kennedy’s place, including “a profound absence as a friend” and “a sense of humility.”
Mr. Kirk said he was not yet sure which committees he would serve on, but planned to meet with the leadership next week.
When asked whom he would support for the special election in January, Mr. Kirk said, “It was always Sen. Kennedy’s idea that the appointed person should not try to taint the playing field, and I intend to honor that.”
Mr. Kirk’s appointment to the Senate gives the Democrats the 60 votes that they need to defeat a filibuster when it comes to passing the highly controversial health-care bill.
“If they think there’s a role I can play, I’d love to,” Mr. Kirk said of his possible endorsement of the reforms.
He added that he hoped a bipartisan bill would be possible, and planned to get a better sense of the dialogue after being in Washington for a week or so.
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