Burris Says He'll Be Sworn in to Senate Seat Thurs

"They need to look at my record ... what I have done over the years as a citizen of our state," Burris said.

Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris gestures, right, during a news conference in Chicago,...

Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris gestures, right, during a news conference in Chicago, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. U.S. Senate leaders announced earlier Monday they'll accept Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's Senate successor and expect to swear him in soon. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

(AP)

He also declined to join in calls for Blagojevich to resign, saying "my position is that you're innocent in this legal system until you're proven guilty."

He said any demand that he would make for Blagojevich to step down "would have no effect."

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