| History is Made : Majority Whip Clyburn Sworn-in to 110th Congress
Thursday, January 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristie Greco : (202) 226-3210
WASHINGTON, DC—Congressman James E. Clyburn today was sworn-in to the 110th Congress making him the first South Carolinian and second African American to assume majority whip position in history. The oath of office was administered by the first-ever female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi of California.
“I did not get here on my own,” said Clyburn. “I am humbled by the unwavering support of my family, friends and colleagues. This day carries extra meaning as I have realized the dreams I had as a young boy growing up in South Carolina. It was my parents who held me on their shoulders and sacrificed so much to get me here. I only wish they were here today to share it with me. I do not underestimate the responsibility I assume. I promise to work every day to make this nation a better place, to do what my mother and father could not do, so my children and grandchildren will not have to live the way they lived.”
“Democrats brought a message of change to the people and a promise to restore a high ethical standard in Congress,” continued Clyburn. “The American people hired us to do the job and we’re going to start right away making a difference, and honoring our promises.”
Clyburn marked the occasion with a nod to faith, history and bipartisanship. He started the day participating in a Bipartisan Interfaith Prayer Service at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Washington DC. Each member of the Democratic and Republican Leadership was in attendance and participated in the event. Clyburn, former Director of the South Carolina Farm Worker’s Commission, read the Prayer of Cesar Chavez which concludes, “Help us love even those who hate us; So we can change the world.”
Later, Clyburn welcomed to his office House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri and the first African American Majority Whip William Gray of Pennsylvania. Both Majority Whip Clyburn and Republican Whip Blunt expressed interest in working together in a bipartisan fashion to meet the needs of the American people. The senior lawmakers also announced that they would meet for lunch on a regular basis to maintain and enhance their strong relationship and work to find common ground. Former Majority Whip Gray congratulated Clyburn by presenting him with a whip, symbolizing the tough job he must do to maintain consensus in his very diverse caucus and advance the Democratic agenda.
In the afternoon, Clyburn proudly cast an historic vote to elect Nancy Pelosi of California to be the first female Speaker of the House in United States history. Clyburn’s three daughters cheered from the House gallery as he cast his vote by voice.
With his family surrounding him, and his hand on the Gullah Bible, the Southern Lawmaker participated in a ceremonial swearing-in with newly-elected Speaker Pelosi just off the House floor.
Clyburn capped the day by accepting the honor of controlling the gavel during the first hour of debate of the new 110th Congress. A privilege only available to members of the Majority party, the honor was be granted to him by newly-elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. In her absence, the Speaker must designate a colleague to preside over the debate.
The legislative debate was on an ethics reform package to clean up Washington and sever unethical ties between lawmakers and lobbyists. The legislation, drafted by the Democratic Majority will start by banning travel and gifts from lobbyists, requiring full transparency to end the abuse of special interest earmarks, and ending the abusive processes that have destroyed democracy in the House of Representatives. These measures are the first steps to ensure that this Congress upholds the highest ethical standards.
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