Lugar named honorary inauguration co-chair

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., has been named as one of 15 honorary co-chairs of President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural committee, officials said Tuesday.

The president-elect's transition team says the ceremonial positions carry no responsibilities but are given to "prominent Americans from both sides of the aisle who have dedicated their lives to selfless service to their fellow citizens," Gannett News Service reported.

Other inaugural committee co-chairs include former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton; former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell; one of Vice President-elect Joe Biden's sons; Obama's sister and Michelle Obama's brother; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; and U.S. Transportation Secretary-designate Ray LaHood, a Republican congressman from Illinois, the news service reported.

"From family members to former presidents, each of these leaders has an unwavering commitment to bipartisan cooperation and a proud record of service to their community and our country," Obama said in a statement.

Lugar was at one time rumored to be one of Obama's candidates for secretary of state, observers say.