SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center Names U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn 2011 Advocate of the Year

COLUMBIA, SC  – August 8, 2011 – The South Carolina Appleseed LegalJustice Center’s Board of Directors has named Congressman James E.Clyburn as their 2011 Advocate of the Year and will be honoring him atan evening reception on September 27, 2011 at historic 701 Whaley inColumbia, SC. 

Since 2006, SC Appleseed has selected one South Carolinian whoselife’s work exemplifies a commitment to justice, families, and childrenin our state. Past honorees include Congressman John Spratt, I.S. LeevyJohnson, Victoria Eslinger, George Cauthen, and Ken Suggs.

This year, the board selected Congressman Clyburn due to hisleadership and commitment to being a champion for those who too often donot have a voice. “Congressman Clyburn’s life work exemplifies thegoals we are working to achieve for South Carolinians,” Director SueBerkowitz said. He’s been a leader in fighting discrimination,advancing economic development and, most recently, assuring health careis available to all.”

As a national leader, Congressman Clyburn has worked to respond to the needs of America’s diverse communities by:

• Making higher education more affordable by increasing Pell grants
• Directing ten percent ofRecovery Act funding to communities twenty percent under the povertylevel for the past thirty years, and
• Advancing law measures to resolve historic discrimination issues. 

Congressman Clyburn has represented the Sixth Congressional Districtsince 1993, currently serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader in the112th Congress, and is the number three Democrat in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives.

Congressman Clyburn will be honored at a special reception onTuesday, September 27, 2011, at 701 Whaley in Columbia, SC from 5:30pm-7:00pm. To purchase tickets to this event, please contact [email protected].

About SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center

Appleseed is a not for profit that fights for economic, legal andsocial justice for the state’s low-income population through advocacy,education and litigation. While not a legal services provider, we workdirectly with service providers, attorneys, community members and policymakers. To learn more about Appleseed, please visit our website at www.scjustice.org or contact Director Sue Berkowitz at [email protected].

Media Resources:

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AppleseedSC

Twitter profile: http://www.twitter.com/AppleseedSC

Website: http://www.scjustice.org