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 Legal Justice Center’s Board of Directors has named Congressman James E. Clyburn as their 2011 Advocate of the Year and will be honoring him at an evening reception on September 27, 2011 at historic 701 Whaley in Columbia, SC. 

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

This year, the board selected Congressman Clyburn due to his leadership and commitment to being a champion for those who too often do not have a voice. “Congressman Clyburn’s life work exemplifies the goals we are working to achieve for South Carolinians,” Director Sue Berkowitz said. He’s been a leader in fighting discrimination, advancing economic development and, most recently, assuring health care is 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 of Recovery Act funding to communities twenty percent under the poverty level for the past thirty years, and
• Advancing law measures to resolve historic discrimination issues. 

Congressman Clyburn has represented the Sixth Congressional District since 1993, currently serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader in the 112th Congress, and is the number three Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman Clyburn will be honored at a special reception on Tuesday, 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 and social justice for the state’s low-income population through advocacy, education and litigation. While not a legal services provider, we work directly with service providers, attorneys, community members and policy makers. To learn more about Appleseed, please visit our website at www.scjustice.org or contact Director Sue Berkowitz at [email protected].

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Website: http://www.scjustice.org