UPDATED with comments from Booker's mother
WASHINGTON – Cory Booker, the nationally-known former mayor of Newark, was sworn in as a New Jersey Senator Thursday at noon, becoming the fourth popularly elected black Senator in American history.
Vice President Biden presided over the ceremony, watched by some 25 Booker family members as well as Bonnie Lautenberg – the widow of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, whose death created a vacancy that led to Booker's election. The Lautenberg family had campaigned against Booker in the Democratic primary, but had a front-row seat in the Senate gallery, a few seats from Booker's mother, for the swearing in.
An unusually large crowd of Senators greeted Booker after the ceremony, exchanging hugs, hand-slaps and an occasional fist-bump. Booker's family and friends in the gallery erupted into cheers after he took his oath and Biden told him, "congratulations Senator."
"I always told my children they could be and do anything they wanted to do, that that was the beauty of America. To have dreams and be able to realize your dreams," said Booker's mother, Carolyn. "It is just wonderful to see him realize his dreams."
"I know his father is looking down and is equally as proud as I am of him," she said. Booker's father, Cary, died Oct. 10, six days before New Jersey's special Senate election.
Among those who greeted Booker were U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D., Ga.), a civil rights legend, and Sen. Tim Scott (R., S.C.), the only other African-American in the Senate. New Jersey's senior Senator, Bob Menendez, escorted Booker to the swearing in.
Booker, 44, arrived at the Capitol around 10:30 a.m., an aide showing him the way and the former mayor guiding his mother by hand up the stairs into the Senate side of the building. Booker and his mother took pictures with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the morning, and the new senator was scheduled to meet with President Obama at the White House at 3:15. (Booker is scheduled to meet with reporters at 2).
"It's just a historic day that we get to share with Cory. I know how important he work is to him, more so than the title," said Carolyn Booker. "To see him have a role in this great body of Americans is so, just, special, that's all I can tell you. It's just a special, special moment that really touches my heart and makes me proud as a mother."
She added, "I'll have my chest poked out for a long time."
Booker cast his first vote – and got his first taste of Senate procedure – immediately after the swearing in. He voted in favor of an Obama nominee to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, but the key procedural motion (to end debate) was blocked by a Republican filibuster threat.
The fast-rising Booker, a Democrat known for his charisma, oratory and heroic deeds, arrives after promising to bring an entrepreneurial spirit to Washington and vowing to bridge the divides so often on display – most recently in a budget fight that prompted a 16-day government shutdown.
Booker has long has an outsized reputation – even before he became mayor. Now he will now have a formal role in national debates.
Next week the Senate will take up one of his cherished issues -- gay and lesbian rights -- when it plans to vote on a bill banning workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. In early 2014, another federal budget deadline looms.
Booker, a former Stanford football player, Rhodes Scholar and Yale Law graduate, won national renown as Newark's mayor, working as a relentless salesman for his long-troubled city. "Go Cardinal!" someone in the Capitol hall said as Booker entered – a reference to his football days.
Booker's star power has helped power his career, but opponents have criticized him as more celebrity than substance, saying his fame outpaced his accomplishments in Newark – a charge Booker and his aides have strongly pushed against.
Booker enters an often slow-moving chamber where freshmen are expected to wait their turn, though quiet patience has never been his style.
He holds liberal views on most issues – particularly when it comes to social concerns such as abortion, gun laws and same-sex marriage – but has raised concerns among some on the left for his support of charter schools, his ties to Wall Street and his closeness to Gov. Christie.
Booker has vowed to work with Senators on both sides of the aisle, and has spoken about focusing on education and helping poor cities such as Newark, Paterson and Camden as a Senator.
Booker won a special election Oct. 16 to fill the seat until recently held by Lautenberg, a Democrat who died in office in June. Jeff Chiesa, a Republican appointed by Gov. Christie, held the seat until Thursday.
Booker gives Democrats 55 votes in the Senate (counting left-leaning independents), the same as before Lautenberg died.
Booker is the ninth black Senator overall, including those who have been appointed. New Jersey is now the first to be represented by a black and Latino senator at the same time.
He resigned as mayor of Newark effective at midnight Thursday.
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