Starrett, appointed to the post last year by President Bush, became Mississippi's 35th district judge since statehood. He said he was "absolutely overwhelmed" by the support he has received since his appointment.

"It is an unbelievable honor and privilege to accept the challenge and to take the position as U.S. district court judge," said Starrett, who was Mississippi's 14th District Circuit Court judge for 12 years before assuming his new duties earlier this year.

Starrett expressed appreciation to the many friends, colleagues and family members who attended Monday's ceremony. Starrett said he is looking forward to serving as judge while upholding his oath and the Constitution.

"Without a fair system of justice, democracy cannot stand," Starrett said.

Retired Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Charles Pickering, who held the district court bench seat prior to Starrett, expressed confidence in his successor's abilities.

"Judge Starrett will be a great judge because he is a great man," Pickering said. "He has faith, integrity and his feet on the ground. He will do a great job."

Speakers during Monday's formal ceremony expressed similar comments.

U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton, who has known Starrett since they played Little League baseball together, praised the new judge for his tremendous work ethic, compassion and knowledge of the law.

"He will do everything he can to be fair. He does not have an agenda," Lampton said.

Lampton also used a baseball analogy to describe Starrett's sound rulings. Of 85 cases that have been appealed to the state Court of Appeals or state Supreme Court, Lampton said almost 90 percent had been affirmed.

"That is a tremendous, tremendous batting average," Lampton said.

U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott recommended Starrett's appointment to President Bush.

Cochran touted Starrett's 18 years in private practice as an attorney and his 12 years as judge. He said Starrett would continue his tradition of distinguished service on the federal bench.

"Keith Starrett deserves the honor of serving on his distinguished and highly-regarded district court," Cochran said.

Lott hailed Starrett as a outstanding leader in his church, community and profession. Both senators cited Starrett's founding the state's first felony level drug court to help rehabilitate drug offenders.

"He has done what you want a leader in the community to do," Lott said.

Lott said citizens can rest assured that Starrett will provide equal justice for all who come before his court.

"He will do a wonderful job for the people he serves," Lott said.

U.S. District Chief Judge Henry Wingate, who presided at Monday's ceremony, recalled a recent incident when a potential juror volunteered that he knew Starrett. Of Starrett, the person said there "is no finer man in Mississippi," Wingate said.

"I was so impressed with that testimony on Judge Starrett," said Wingate, who later called the new judge a "true star" in the judicial constellation.