HARRISBURG - Kathleen Granahan Kane took the oath as state attorney general Tuesday and made political history as the first woman and Democrat to hold the office since it became elective three decades ago.
At a public ceremony in a packed Capitol Rotunda attended by many supporters, well-wishers and elected officials from Northeast Pennsylvania, Mrs. Kane, of Waverly Twp., said she would work as attorney general to help families who lost children to violence, victims of child predators and victims of consumer fraud.
"My charge as attorney general of Pennsylvania and the charge of each citizen of this commonwealth is clear," she said. "It's time to take our streets back. It's time to take our schools back."
As the ceremony neared an end with a rendition of "God Bless the U.S.A.," Mrs. Kane's son Zachary apparently felt ill and sat down on the steps of the Rotunda. Mrs. Kane went to his side, and Gov. Tom Corbett and others supplied bottles of water.
"Kathleen will be attorney general for the next four years but a mother for the rest of her life," said Daniel D. McCaffery, the master of ceremonies, briefly noting the episode to the audience.
"He's fine," said Mrs. Kane's husband, Chris Kane, referring to Zachary after the ceremony.
Earlier in the ceremony, Zachary and his brother, Christopher, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Kane sounded inspirational themes in her speech. She suggested that her election victory will enable mothers to tell their daughters anything is possible.
Mrs. Kane drew applause upon saying she looked forward to protecting "children from predators who seek to do them harm," an issue she stressed during her campaign last fall.
She also signaled an effort to beef up consumer protection efforts in the attorney general's office.
"I am fighting back for people who are treated unfairly," said Mrs. Kane referring to victims of scams involving home mortgages, student loans and assistance to veterans.
Mrs. Kane is taking on major responsibilities as she assumes office, said Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald. Mr. Blake mentioned reviewing a potential state contract for private management of the Pennsylvania Lottery for legality, undertaking a review of why the investigation of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky on child sex abuse charges took nearly three years.
"I think she is going to bring a Northeast Pennsylvania sensibility to the office," Mr. Blake said.
Mrs. Kane is well suited for her new job with her background as a former Lackawanna County assistant district attorney, said U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
"Her career would lead me to believe she will be a very fair attorney general," said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte.
"She wants to do the right thing for all the people of Pennsylvania," said Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre.
Lackawanna County Judges Michael J. Barrasse and Margaret Bisignani Moyle administered the oath to Mrs. Kane. Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, I.H.M. gave the invocation.
Mr. McCaffery, a Philadelphia attorney, said he briefly ran against Mrs. Kane for the Democratic nomination for attorney general last spring and then joined her campaign.
"I got out of that race knowing it was in good hands," he said.
Democrat Eugene DePasquale of York was sworn in as state auditor general. Democrat Rob McCord of Montgomery County was sworn in for a second term as treasurer.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com