WASHINGTON - With Vice President Dick Cheney administering the oath, Roger Wicker was sworn in as United States Senator from Mississippi shortly after the Senate convened on Tuesday.
   
The former seven-term Congressman from Tupelo was appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour on December 31 to replace retiring Senator Trent Lott.
     
After receiving congratulations from his colleagues, Sen.Wicker wasted no time in going to work, participating in a series of meetings with constituents, staff, and Republican leaders in a busy first day back in Washington.   Mr. Wicker will occupy space in the Russell Senate Office Building.
     
"I am mindful of the tremendous responsibility entrusted to me as U.S. Senator, and I am committed to serving the people of Mississippi and the nation to the best of my ability," he said.
     
Sen. Wicker noted he had already traveled the length and breadth of the state in the two weeks since his appointment, the first step in a pledge to listen to the concerns of Mississippians from north Mississippi to the Gulf Coast.
     
Mr. Wicker said he hoped to build on his record of service and accomplishment in the House in his new role as senator.  Among his legislative priorities will be continuing to help South Mississippi recover from Hurricane Katrina and keeping a focus on economic development and job creation.   "As we pursue new opportunities, it is
also important to strengthen our workers by giving them access to quality job training and retraining programs," Sen. Wicker said.
     
Wicker also noted the importance of national security and Mississippi's role in those efforts.  He plans to work on lowering the cost of health care for all Americans and addressing the needs of agriculture, manufacturing, and the small business sector.

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