Former Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Cory Booker became the second African American to be sworn into Senate on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.
After resigning as Mayor of New Jersey on Wednesday night, Booker used his own Bible for the oath-taking with Vice President Joe Biden reciting the oath of office Thursday morning, the AP reported. Democrats now control 55 Senate seats, counting two held by independents and Republicans hold 45.
Booker was sworn in as a Democratic senator from New Jersey as friends and family members, including his brother Cary, seated in the visitors' gallery applauded, the AP reported. Booker's father died earlier this month.
Booker, 44, now joins South Carolina senator Tim Scott in the Senate as the first African American senator since President Barack Obama took office, and was elected to replace Senator Frank Lautenberg who died on June 3 of viral pneumonia, according to the AP.
Booker and his mother met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid before he took oath; afterwards he participated in his first roll call vote in support for the advancement of Representative Mel Watt from North Carolina to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the AP reported.
"We're going to find Cory Booker is going to be a great asset to this nation and the Senate," Reid said after meeting with Booker, USA Today reported. "We're very fortunate to have this good man in the Senate. He'll serve his state and our nation with distinction."
Booker will join Biden for a ceremonial swearing-in and meet with President Obama in the White House Oval Office Thursday evening, the AP reported.
According to USA Today, Booker will serve out the remainder of Lautenberg's term, which ends in 2014 and plans to run for re-election.
