WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats accepted Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate successor on Monday and said they expect to swear in the new Illinois senator this week.
“He is now the senator-designate from Illinois and, as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a senator- elect,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said in a statement after Burris’ lawyers delivered to the Capitol documents certifying his appointment to Obama’s seat, and the secretary of the Senate determined that the paperwork met Senate requirements.
At a news conference in Chicago, Burris called himself honored and humbled to be the state’s next junior senator. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve,” he said and added: “I recognize that my appointment triggered a challenging time for many.”
