By Kathleen Hunter, CQ Staff

His face sober, his hand holding the family Bible of his political hero, funny man-turned-politician Al Franken was sworn in today as Minnesota’s junior senator, bringing the Senate’s membership to a full 100 and handing Democrats an effective 60-vote super majority for the first time in more than 30 years.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. administered the oath of office to Franken, 58, who held a Bible belonging to the family of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn. The ceremony capped eight months of legal wrangling between Franken and one-term Republican Sen. Norm Coleman over their 2008 election contest.

Coleman had defeated former Vice President Walter F. Mondale to capture the Senate seat after Wellstone was killed in a plane crash just days before the 2002 election. On Tuesday, Mondale joined Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn., in escorting Franken down the aisle of the Senate to be sworn in.

Coleman finally conceded on June 30, hours after the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a lower court ruling that Franken won by 312 votes. Franken, a former comedian best known for his appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” was certified as the winner later that day by Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty , a Republican.

“We all know Al spent some time in comedy, but during this long campaign he’s demonstrated to Minnesotans that he takes his job seriously,” Klobuchar said just before Franken took the oath. “Al arrives in Washington ready to get to work and ready to serve the people of Minnesota.”

After the brief ceremony, Franken was greeted with heavy applause from a handful of senators gathered on the floor and a packed visitors’ gallery. Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, joined Democrats in welcoming their newest colleague.

With his swearing in, Franken became the 58th Democrat in the Senate. Two independents, Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernard Sanders of Vermont, caucus with the Democrats, so the addition of Franken will give the party its first 60-vote super majority since 1978. Senate rules require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

The Democrats’ effective control, however, will be tempered by the absences for health reasons of Sens. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia. Byrd, who had been battling a staph infection, was released from the hospital last week, but it’s unclear when he will resume his duties.