Miller Sworn in as Georgia Senator

W A S H I N G T O N, July 27 -- In a ceremony more somber than celebratory, former Georgia Gov. Zell Miller was sworn in today to fill the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Paul Coverdell.

Prior to taking the oath from Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., the president pro tem, Miller watched from the gallery as senators eulogized Coverdell.

Miller’s first floor speech was dominated by memories of his Republican predecessor. The new Democratic senator acknowledged the emotional response by senators last week when word spread that one of their colleagues had died.

“I thank you for your words, your tears and your testimonies for one of Georgia’s finest sons,” said Miller, who was lieutenant governor when Coverdell was a state senator. “You who served with Paul knew him well. I served with Paul and knew him well also.”

Coverdell’s unexpected death July 18 following a stroke made fora low-key swearing-in ceremony. Fellow senators welcomed Miller warmly, applauding lightly after he officially became the state’s junior senator, cutting the Republican majority to 54-46.

“He knows we have heavy hearts,” said Senate Majority LeaderTrent Lott, R-Miss. “We appreciate the way he has approached thisalready. He is one of our colleagues.”

Bipartisan Pledge

“I will serve no single political party, but rather 7½ millionGeorgians,” Miller said. “And every day I serve, I will do mybest to do so in the same spirit of dignity, integrity and bipartisan cooperation that were the hallmarks of Paul Coverdell’scareer.”

Miller, carrying a Bible, was escorted into the chamber by fellow Georgia Democrat Max Cleland.

After the oath, senators lined up to shake his hand.

Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said Coverdell and Miller have many similarities, despite their political differences. “Like Paul Coverdell, Zell Miller builds bridges, not walls,” Daschle said, adding that Miller “didn’t seek this job. In fact, he didn’t want it.”

Time to Catch Up