LeMieux sworn in as Florida's U.S. senator

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- George LeMieux was installed as Florida's second senator and the U.S. Senate's fifth appointee this year.

LeMieux was appointed by Florida's Republican Gov. Charlie Crist to complete the unexpired term of retiring Republican Mel Martinez. Vice President Joe Biden presided over both the official and the ceremonial installations.

Crist has announced plans to run for the seat in 2010 and LeMieux told reporters Thursday he has no plans to seek the seat, The Hill reported.

LeMieux said he attended U.S. President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress Wednesday and welcomed ideas such as the creation of insurance exchanges, in which insurers compete to offer coverage.

"We have to be for improving healthcare in this country -- we certainly want to have more access and we have to work on affordability, because healthcare is very expensive," he said. "It's putting a strain on our people. It's putting a strain on our businesses."

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky will meet with LeMieux to determine his committee assignments.

Other senators appointed this year are Sens. Roland Burris, D-Ill.; Ted Kaufman, D-Del.; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; and Michael Bennet, D-Colo.