The Idaho Senate opened its business on Inauguration Day with a prayer from its black chaplain, Henry Webb, who happened to be celebrating his 73rd birthday as Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's president.

Webb, an assistant pastor at St. Paul's Baptist Church in Boise, said before the prayer that he didn't expect he'd live long enough to see a black president. "But I'm mindful of what The Word said, 'All things are possible, if you believe.'"

Webb's prayer called Tuesday "a day of celebration. A day in which the citizens of a great nation come together in unity to witness the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America. This day is the realization of a dream fulfilled. A day in which great change has come to the land."

Webb asked that the new president be blessed with "wisdom, knowledge, vision and judgment. Lead, guide and direct his path, dear Lord. And give us, your children, a mind to work."

After the Senate completed its brief session, Lt. Gov. Brad Little told Webb he didn't take him for anything over 65. "God's been good to me," Webb replied.

The Senate also marked the birthday of Finance Committee Chairman Dean Cameron of Rupert, who turned 48 Tuesday. Cameron remains one of the youngest members of the Senate, but has 18 years of seniority.

His roommate during the session, Majority Leader Bart Davis of Idaho Falls, confessed to the Senate that he consumed a substantial portion of a German chocolate birthday cake made for Cameron by his wife, Linda. "It was delicious," said Davis, adding that he did leave a portion for Cameron.

(Reported and written by Dan Popkey)