Roberts Sworn in as Chief Justice; New Employee Orientation Monday

WASHINGTON - John Roberts was sworn in as the 17th chief justice of the United States on Thursday, taking his oath at a White House ceremony attended by President Bush and other justices of the Supreme Court. He will undergo new employee orientation on Monday, said a spokesman for the Court.

"Mr. Chief Justice, welcome to the Supreme Court," said Justice John Paul Stevens after administering the Oath of Office. "Be sure to bring two government-issue photo ID's to work on Monday so you can fill out your I-9."



Among the items to be covered in orientation are: programming voicemail; forms for expense reimbursement and paid time off; and signing up for the health plan.

The spokesman had no information as to whether Roberts planned to sign up for the HMO or the PPO. "It will probably depend on whether or not his current doctor is an in-network provider, but that's pure speculation at this point," he said.

The New Chief Justice, who replaces the late William Rehnquist, will move into his office Monday morning. His phone extension and e-mail should be set up by mid-afternoon, allowing him to sync his Palm Pilot and send the draft e-mail he already wrote, entitled "New Contact Info."

Roberts' business cards will not arrive until the middle of next week. In the interim, he can use some of Justice Ginsburg's, and just cross out her name and write in his. Since Roberts is appointed for life, they will go ahead and order 1,000 cards, since it's more economical on a per card basis than ordering just 500.