Washington (CNN) When Nancy Pelosi took the oath of office to become speaker of the House on Thursday afternoon, she invited all the children on the House floor to come up and stand with her.

Dozens and dozens of kids swarmed the front of the chamber and surrounded a smiling Pelosi.

After she took the oath, administered by Rep. Don Young, an Alaska Republican who's dean of the House, Pelosi said, "I now call the House to order on behalf of all of America's children."

She tapped the speaker's gavel three times, and she, the children and others in the chamber broke into applause.

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