Burris makes first speech in Senate
By KAREN HAWKINS - The Associated Press
In his first speech on the U.S. Senate floor, Sen. Roland Burris said Monday that Attorney General-designate Eric Holder will "open the gates of Justice" for all Americans.
Burris, an Illinois Democrat appointed by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, said the Justice Department has not lived up to its promises, but Holder offers a chance to "turn the page."
"Once confirmed, he will open the gates of Justice once again to the public interest, not the special interests," Burris said.
Burris told The Associated Press he thought he did very well on his first outing, and he characterized speaking in the Senate as a dream come true.
"It was very heartwarming to be able to do that," Burris said.
Holder's confirmation by the Senate on Monday makes him the first African-American to lead the Justice Department.
In his speech, the 71-year-old Burris described his own experiences with discrimination growing up black in the southern Illinois community of Centralia, where he said he and his brother helped integrate the park swimming pool when he was 16.
"The content of my speech was very touching because I put a little bit of my personal experience in there," Burris told the AP. "These are great days, so I had to reach back [and discuss] how long we've come."
Burris said he has known Holder since Burris was elected Illinois comptroller in 1978, becoming the first African-American politician in Illinois to hold statewide office. He is the only African-American in the U.S. Senate.
Burris' speech pointed to Holder's years as a public servant and his commitment to fighting crime while upholding civil liberties. He said Holder becoming the top law enforcement officer in the country is "America really being America, what it should be."
