While the setting was familiar, the circumstance was brand new.

Congressman-elect Joe Morelle stepped inside the Rochester office that once belonged to his friend, late Rep. Louise Slaughter, for the first time on Friday.

Spectrum News was there as he looked around the district office in the Rochester Federal Building that served as Slaughter’s home base for many years.

Beyond the boxes in his new office stands a token of appreciation: Slaughter’s former desk, a gift from her family.

“This is not only humbling but it’s something I am very proud of because we were such great friends over the years,” he said. “The idea of succeeding her and finishing her term for her is obviously a very special feeling.”

Morelle will take an oath sometime next week for the remainder of Slaughter’s term, and will re-take the oath in January.