WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Shelley Moore Capito officially has a new title -- U.S. senator.

The West Virginia Republican was sworn in to the 114th Congress Tuesday by Vice President Joe Biden in the U.S. Capitol, according to a news release from her office. Capito took the oath of office using her father’s Bible from World War II – given to him by his grandmother, Lucy – and a Bible from her parents given to her upon graduating college.

Capito issued the following statement upon being sworn in:

“It is an honor to take the oath of office today as West Virginia’s United States senator.

“I am extremely grateful to the people of West Virginia for the opportunity to serve our great state. You have entrusted me with the highest of honors, and I will work every single day on your behalf. West Virginia’s voice will be heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.

“I am humbled to be the first woman from West Virginia to serve in the United States Senate, and I truly hope that my service will be a source of inspiration for young women everywhere.

“I look forward to serving on several key Senate committees, all of which address West Virginia’s top priorities. On the Energy and Natural Resources committee, I will fight to make sure West Virginia coal and natural gas are at the center of federal policy. On the Environment and Public Works Committee, I will advocate for a six-year highway bill and a rein on the EPA’s job-killing regulations. And I will ensure West Virginia has a big seat at the table when our nation’s spending priorities are being set on the Appropriations Committee.

“And I look forward to serving as counsel to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the 114th Congress. Serving in this role gives West Virginia a strong voice in Senate leadership. The open process Leader McConnell has enacted will create a more productive Senate. I will work with Senator Joe Manchin and the members of the West Virginia congressional delegation toward our common goal: getting Washington to work for West Virginia again.

“With bipartisan solutions, I trust that we can prevail upon President Obama to sign commonsense legislation, like next week's Keystone bill. If the President uses his veto pen on bipartisan bills that clear both the House and Senate, the American people will have a clear view of who is standing in the way of progress for our nation.

“I will always be mindful of my duty to the people of West Virginia and I am ready to get to work putting our state, and nation, on a path toward a stronger future.”

** Photo Courtesy Of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin's Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s a historic day in West Virginia as Shelley Moore Capito is being sworn in as a U.S. senator to become the first woman from the Mountain State to ever serve in that office.

The Republican is scheduled to be sworn in at noon. A reception is planned later in the afternoon at the Senate Dirksen Building in Washington, D.C.

Not only is it historic from the standpoint of Capito being the first West Virginia woman in that office,  she will be the first Republican senator from West Virginia in 56 years.

Capito, who previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeated West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant in the November election to win her seat in the U.S. Senate. The seat was left open when Democrat Jay Rockefeller decided not to seek another term after serving in the U.S. Senate for 30 years.

Tuesday afternoon's swearing-in marks the start of a new Congress with Republicans in control of both chambers.

Meanwhile, Capito has been tapped as counsel to new Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Capito's office said Tuesday in a news release that the West Virginia senator is one of four counsel members McConnell has appointed in the new Congress.

The other Republican senators appointed as counsel are Rob Portman of Ohio, Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Mike Lee of Utah.

The release said the four senators will offer input, guidance and advice to the Republican leadership.

AP contributed to this story.