January 7, 2009 111th Congress convenes with fresh faces Play video

(Josh Brogadir, NECN) - There are a few notable numbers from day one of the 111th Congress, starting with age.

The oldest member of the legislature, Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia is 91; the youngest is new Congressman Aaron Schock, just 27, from Peoria, Illinois.

There are several new New England lawmakers.

And the distraction on day one that critics are calling political theatre was the ongoing debate about who should be Illinois's junior senator.

"We cannot afford to wait, our nation needs action and we need action now," said re-elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Democrat from California.

And there was another kind of action right from the start on the day of the seating of the 111th Congress.

Even before hands were placed on bibles, Roland Burris, disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's pick to fill President-elect Barack Obama's senate seat, showed up to be sworn in, calling himself the Junior Senator from Illinois.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid told Burris, who is a former Illinois Attorney General, that Burris does not have the credentials for the job, specifically the signature of the Illinois Secretary of State.

"(If) Mr. Burris takes possession of valid credentials, the Senate will proceed in a manner that is respectful to Mr. Burris while ensuring there is no cloud of doubt over appointment to fill the seat," Reid said.

"I presented credentials to the secretary of the senate

and (was) advised that my credentials were not in order and I would not be accepted and I will not be seated and I will not be permitted on the floor," Burris said.

A second senate seat that for now is unfilled is in Minnesota where Democrat Al Franken has been declared the winner in a recount.

Incumbent Norm Coleman has sued in a challenge to the results which could leave Minnesota with one U.S. Senator for months.

Once the proceedings began, many familiar faces joined newcomers to Capitol Hill.

In all, 54 new members of the House began their terms in Washington and 32 senators, who were either elected for the first time or re-elected, were sworn in Tuesday.

New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen begins a first senate term, Maine Republican Susan Collins a 3rd term.

And Massachusetts Senator John Kerry starts a fifth term in office with Senator Ted Kennedy standing behind him at the ceremony.

Kennedy was re-elected in 2006.

The Massachusetts Democrats are two who are above the Senate average age of 63 in significant contrast to incoming President Obama, who will be 47 years old when he is sworn in in two weeks.

The average age for U.S. representatives is 57.

Back to Obama's former Senate seat, Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, who is the Chair of the Senate Rules Committee said Gov. Blagojevich, in spite of the cloud surrounding him, has the right to appoint someone as Senator.

The Rules Committee decides whether Burris is qualified to serve.

Burris has decided to petition the Illinois Supreme Court, asking it to order the Illinois Secretary of State to certify his appointment.