New NY governor sworn in
2008-03-17 21:48
New York - New York State's new governor was officially sworn in on Monday, becoming the state's first black chief executive and vowing to move past the prostitution scandal that forced his predecessor to resign and rocked state politics.
David Paterson, who is legally blind, was interrupted several times during his address with thunderous applause. Before he gave his inaugural address, lawmakers in attendance gave him a two-minute standing ovation and chanted his name: "David! David! David!"
"This transition today is a historic message to the world: That we live by the same values that we profess, and we are a government of laws, not individuals," Paterson said.
Paterson rose from the lieutenant governor's office after Eliot Spitzer resigned last week amid allegations that he hired a call girl from a high-priced escort service. It was a dramatic fall for Spitzer, who was elected with an overwhelming share of the vote and who had vowed to root out corruption at the state Capitol.
Lawmakers past and present, including presidential candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and governors from three neighbouring states, attended the ceremony. Spitzer was not in attendance.
Federal prosecutors must still decide whether to pursue charges against Spitzer. The married father of three teenage girls was accused of spending tens of thousands of dollars on prostitutes - including a call girl known as "Kristen" in Washington the night before Valentine's Day.
"We move forward. Today is Monday. There is work to be done," Paterson said. There was an oath to be taken. There's trust that needs to be restored. There are issues that need to be addressed."
- AP