Attorney Kamala Harris, whose father is from Jamaica and mother from India, has been sworn in as the newest United States Senator from California. Elected by voters in 2016, Harris is breaking a color barrier that has existed since California became a state in 1850. Harris is now the first black politician to represent California in the US Senate, She is also only the second black woman in the history of the US to serve in the upper chamber of Congress. Harris previously held the position of California’s Attorney General. She took the oath of office for the Senate on January 3, 2017.