WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Former Missouri Sen. John Danforth was sworn in at the White House Thursday as the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Danforth, most recently a special envoy who helped broker Sudan peace accords, replaces John Negroponte, who is Washington's first ambassador to post-war Iraq.
"Jack is a man of strong convictions, unquestioned integrity and great decency," President Bush said at the swearing-in ceremony.
"I'm sending Jack Danforth to the U.N. with a clear mandate: America will work closely with the United Nations to confront terror and to fight the suffering and despair that terrorists exploit."
Bush described Danforth, an Episcopal priest, as a man of convictions, integrity and decency. "Ambassador John C. Danforth will be a strong voice for the humane and decent conscience of America."
The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, a long-time friend of Danforth.
