Ten Reasons Roland Burris Is Awesome

• Roland Burris was the first African-American elected to state office in Illinois, serving as Comptroller from 1979 to 1991, and Attorney General from 1991 to 1995 (the second African-American state Attorney General in U.S. history).
• Burris ran unsuccessfully for governor of Illinois in 1994, 1998 and 2002, losing in the latter election to Rod Blagojevich.
• Blagojevich has appointed Burris to Barack Obama’s Senate seat despite controversy over the Illinois governor’s attempts to sell it. Burris has accepted the appointment, knowing that Senate Democrats will probably not seat him, due to Blagojevich’s pending trial.
• Burris has built a mausoleum for him and his wife, listing their many accomplishments and topped by the phrase “TRAIL BLAZER.”
• His children are named Roland II and Rolanda Sue.

• Burris has made considerable donations to Blagojevich since running against him in 2002.
• Burris credits himself, in the third person, for Obama’s success as an Illinois Senator. “I’d say if there hadn’t been a Roland Burris that there would not have been a Carol Braun or a Barack Obama. I had to lay the groundwork…to perform in a high, statewide office.”
• Another quote: “People said I was either crazy or divinely directed. I accept the latter. I believe without a doubt that I am predestined to be a role model.”
• He worked to integrate an Illinois swimming pool at the age of 15.
• Burris dressed in shorts and gloves to play Muhammad Ali for a skit at a political banquet, yelling “I am the greatest!”

[Photos: Getty Images, southbound_07 via Flickr]