Laughter & Tears As Franken Enters Senate

By Noah Kunin, Senior Political Correspondent

7/7/09 Washington, DC - Shortly after Al Franken was sworn in as the junior Senator from Minnesota he attended a reception in his honor in the Hart Senate Offices Building a few blocks north of the United States Capitol. A full house of over four hundred supporters campaign workers and family friends (including two members of the Grateful Dead) related their backing of Franken over the years.

Franken joked that it would take forever to thank everyone that helped him, not including those who "were just along for the ride". At other times Franken was filled with emotion but not overcome by it, forcing back tears at several points while referencing his family or the late Senator Paul Wellstone.