AUGUSTA -- The members of the 124th Legislature took their seats Wednesday on a day marked by tradition, hope and history.

Family and friends squeezed into folding chairs in the Senate chamber to watch as Sen. Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, became the first woman in the country to have been selected by her peers to serve first as House Speaker and now Senate president.

Over in the House, Rep. Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, was sworn in as House Speaker. Her mother, U.S. Rep.-elect Chellie Pingree, watched her 32-year-old daughter take the oath.

Later in the day, the Legislature named Janet Mills of Farmington the new attorney general, making her the first woman in Maine history to hold that position. A special election will be held to fill her House seat representing Farmington and Industry.

"It is the year of the woman in Maine," Speaker Hannah Pingree said.

Through it all, legislators began their two years of service with the knowledge that the national economy is in recession and state budget cuts will force them to make difficult decisions.

Paul Cates, of Vassalboro Friends Meeting, led the Senate prayer by describing the day's events as "an auspicious occasion in a very difficult time."

On a day light on policy, Mitchell and Pingree announced their intention to create a task force on energy that would "advance a greener Maine," Mitchell said.

The Senate also brought back a tradition that dates to the 1820s by sending a senator to "stoke the furnace."

This year, Sen. Walter Gooley, R-Farmington, performed the task, which allowed Mitchell to take a seat in the chamber while she waited to be formally voted in as Senate president.

Gov. John Baldacci then entered the chamber to say a few words and deliver the oath of office.

"It is a season of change," he said. "Change is coming from Washington, Augusta and statehouses across the country. It's going to be difficult and challenging times."

Many of the legislators brought family members with them to the ceremony.

With his right hand held high while reciting the oath, Senate Majority Leader Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham, used his left hand to steady his small daughter as she crawled on his desk.

Republicans in both chambers showed good will by choosing not to nominate competing officers to the Democratic choices. Democrats hold solid majorities in both bodies.

Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye, R-Perry, seconded the motion to install Mitchell as Senate president, saying he considers her a friend.

He also warned of the uncertain economic times.

"We have an opportunity, indeed an obligation, to downsize state government to a level taxpayers can afford," he said.

Mitchell, 68, delivered a speech that touched on her experience in the Legislature -- she's served 22 years off and on since 1974, including a tenure as House Speaker from 1996 to 1998 -- and the current economic crisis.

She also urged fellow Senators to project a positive image of the state to help attract more businesses.

"Unfortunately, too many lobbyists, state leaders and pundits have taken to trashing Maine in order to advance their narrow agenda," she said. "A cottage industry has sprung up in many corners to proclaim the bad news about all things Maine."

In an address to the House, Pingree spoke about energy costs in Maine and a recent report that showed 13 percent of Maine families don't have enough food to feed their families regularly.

"This is simply unacceptable," she said. "Worse yet, during a time of economic crisis, levels of food insecurity could rise as parents lose their jobs and elderly residents choose between heat and food."

She said she will work with Maine farmers to "address this in a serious and urgent way."

After the ceremony, Pingree's mother, who will be sworn in to Congress on Jan. 6, said it was hard to describe what it was like to watch her daughter be sworn in as House Speaker.

"It's sort of surreal," she said. "It's great as a mom, but it's also great as a woman. It's not just motherly pride. She's going to be excellent in that job."

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com