Jan 2, 2009 1:55 pm US/Central
Blockade Expected For Burris In Washington
Senate Sergeant At Arms Says He Doesn't Expect Trouble
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (left) introduces former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as his choice to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama during a press conference at the Thompson Center Dec. 30, 2008.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's U.S. Senate appointee, former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, may be heading to Washington, D.C., for next week's swearing-in ceremony for incoming Senators.
Top Senate Democrats still say they intend to block Burris' appointment, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has already refused to certify it, because of the criminal charges against Blagojevich.
Even so, Burris says it is correct to address him as "Senator," because the governor has signed a letter of appointment, making his selection valid.
The U.S. Senate's sergeant at arms says he doesn't expect trouble if Roland Burris shows up.
The sergeant at arms, Terrence Gainer, says he's known Burris for years. Gainer said in a telephone interview: "He is a good man. He plays by the rules."
Gainer once served as director of the Illinois State Police.
Gainer said Friday that he doesn't believe Burris wants a confrontation.
A spokesman for Blagojevich said Friday the governor does not intend to travel to Washington.
Meanwhile, a group of citizens gathered in support Burris for Senate at noon Friday in front of the Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St.
At a news conference Friday, about a dozen African-American activists said despite the legal cloud over Blagojevich the governor has the legal right to make an appointment, and Burris is highly qualified.
William Walls of the Committee for a Better Chicago warns that, if Secretary of State Jesse White does not certify the appointment and Sen. Dick Durbin does not support Burris, activists will work to defeat them in upcoming elections.
Officials from President-elect Barack Obama to Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn have come out against the appointment because of Blagojevich, but others, among them U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) have asked that the appointment stand because with Obama now having left, there are no African-Americans in the U.S. Senate.
Burris, 71, has said he is qualified for the U.S. Senate and has asked the public to "recognize the difference" between himself and Blagojevich.
Earlier this week, Burris asked the Illinois Supreme Court to force Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment. Burris' attorney says they will fight to the bitter end.
Burris' attorney Timothy Wright told CBS 2 Wednesday that he expects the Supreme Court to act on their lawsuit by the end of the week. He expects Burris will eventually be the official appointee.
Burris has also made headlines this week when reports surfaced about a mausoleum he had constructed a mausoleum at Oak Woods Cemetery on the city's South Side listing all his achievements.
CBS News reported that granite structure, with two columns supporting a covered area and three tablets, list his political and business accomplishments — "First African-American in Illinois" to become the attorney general, state comptroller, vice president of Continental Illinois National Bank, etc. — with the term "Trail Blazer" chiseled in large type above.
Burris is hoping to add "U.S. Senator" to the list – and there is room in the granite for it.
But Democratic leaders in the Senate, including Illinois' Dick Durbin, plan to "checkmate" Burris' every move. They maintain the appointment is tarnished by Blagojevich, who was arrested on Dec. 9 on charges that he tried to sell the very seat to which he has now appointed Burris.
CBS News' David Morgan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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