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Congressman Clyburn becomes Chair of the House Democratic Caucus

Date: Jan. 18, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Senior Citizens Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Entitlements and the Safety Net


Congressman Clyburn becomes Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
January 18, 2006

(Washington, DC) - South Carolina's Sixth District Congressman James E. Clyburn today officially became Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Clyburn was elected to the position in December, when it was announced the previous Chair Bob Menendez would be appointed to the U.S. Senate, but took office today when Menendez officially vacated his House seat.

"This is a tremendous day for me, my family and the people of South Carolina," Congressman Clyburn said. "Thirteen years ago I came to Washington as South Carolina's first African American elected to Congress since Reconstruction. This week as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, the significance of my becoming Chair is not lost on me."

Clyburn is the second African American to hold the position of Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, the third ranking leadership position.

"I have been honored to deliver a number of speeches over the past week honoring Dr. King's life, and as I often do, I reflected on King's powerful Letter from the Birmingham City Jail in which he responded to a call from eight white clergy who told him the time was not right for King to pursue his agenda," Congressman Clyburn said. "Just as King did in his response, I question the theory of a 'right time' to do anything. That is why as Chair of the Democratic Caucus I will stand up against this Administration that seem to be asking working Americans to carry the burden of their-ill fated policies on Iraq, Social Security, taxes, health care and education. Where is the justice when there is no shared sacrifice?"

Congressman Clyburn's first official duty as Chair will come at 2:00 PM today when he joins other Democratic Leaders in the House and Senate presenting the "Democratic Declaration: Honest Leadership and Open Government" event. Clyburn's first full Caucus meeting will be on Wednesday, February 1, when his replacement as Vice Chair will be chosen. The next day, members of the House Democratic Caucus will convene in Williamsburg, Virginia for their annual Issues Conference that will be led by Clyburn.

http://clyburn.house.gov/pressroom-press-releases-detail.cfm?id=23

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