Kirk sworn in as interim U.S. senator

BOSTON, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Paul Kirk has been sworn in to the U.S. Senate seat that had been held by the late Edward M. Kennedy.

Kirk, 71, took the oath Friday after a Massachusetts judge rejected a Republican effort to block the appointment.

He will serve until Massachusetts voters elect a permanent replacement Jan. 19 for Kennedy, D-Mass., who died in August after a long battle with brain cancer.

Kirk, a former Democratic National Committee chairman, called the swearing-in an emotional moment marked by anticipation and "the profound absence of a friend," The New York Times reported.

"The honor of being designated as one who will be the voice for Senator Kennedy's constituents and the one from his state who will vote for his causes -- combine that with the kind of love and friendship we had for one another -- it is almost overwhelming," Kirk said.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's appointment of Kirk, a longtime friend and associate of the Kennedys, gives Democrats a crucial 60th vote in the Senate.