With Schatz sworn in, a new era is begun

Vice President Joe Biden, left, shook hands with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz after administering the oath of office Thursday on the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is second from right, and retiring Hawaii U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka is at right. Schatz replaces U.S. Sen. Daniel Ino­uye, D-Hawaii, who died last week. Akaka will be succeeded by U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who was elected in November.