Jan. 24--LAKE PLACID -- Newly appointed to the U.S. Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) told a New York audience, "I will get to know you."

Looking for common ground between upstate and downstate will be a priority, she said, pledging to pull the state together on behalf of all New Yorkers.

Gov. David A. Paterson made the appointment official just after noon Friday from a crowded dais surrounded by about 30 New York congressional delegates in an Empire State Plaza meeting room.

"I have found the best candidate to become U.S. senator from New York," the governor said, noting the choice was not based on gender, geographical location, race or sexual orientation.

"This senator has great shoes to fill," he said, listing previous Senators Robert F. Kennedy, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Paterson said he spoke with Clinton early Friday.

"She thinks you will be a great representative for the people of New York state."

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CALL

While Gillibrand was delivering the acceptance speech, Paterson leaned over and interrupted, whispering in her ear.

Surprised and apparently excited, Gillibrand said, askance, "Now, you mean right now!"

President Barack Obama was on the phone waiting to congratulate her.

Paterson took the podium briefly, asking an aide if the president was still on the line, expecting he had hung up.

"Please call back," Paterson said, earning a round of laughter.

Gillibrand left the podium to speak with the new president, who issued a statement by early afternoon.

"During her career, Kirsten has been a strong voice for transparency and reform in government and shares the belief that government should be open, accessible and work for all of our citizens," President Obama said.

"In Congress and as special counsel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, she worked to strengthen public and private partnerships to invest in infrastructure and New York's economy.

"At this time of great challenge, I know that Kirsten has the integrity, character, and dedication to public service to help us achieve our greatest goals."

NEW GENERATION

Paterson pointed to Gillibrand's immense support in the district and her intellect.

"I'm looking for a sort of new generation of leadership, someone who can talk to you from A to Z about agriculture, from A to ZZ about Wall Street."

Gillibrand, 42, joins 16 women in the U.S. Senate, and is the first upstate senator in more than 30 years.

Watching Clinton emerge on the political forefront years ago, Gillibrand said, was "a clarion call to so many like me.