Fort Lauderdale litigator Eugene Pettis was sworn in Friday as the first black president of The Florida Bar to tears, thunderous applause and a standing ovation from a standing-room only crowd.

Nearly half of the 750 people in attendance were black lawyers, family members and members of Pettis’ lifelong church, the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale. Before the oath of office was administered, the church choir sang Lift Every Voice and Sing.