“C” is for Clyburn, James Enos (b.1940)

“C” is for Clyburn, James Enos (b.1940). Congressman. Born in Sumter, Clyburn has had an extensive career in public service. From 1971 to 1974 he served on the staff of Governor John C. West. From 1974 to 1992, Clyburn was South Carolina human affairs commissioner. In 1992 he won the Sixth District congressional seat, becoming South Carolina's first African American congressman since 1897. In 1998 he was elected chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). As a congressman from the South with a large rural and poor constituency, Clyburn focused his agenda for the CBC on building coalitions with other congressional caucuses, to garner support for issues such as economic development.  He served as House Majority Whip (2007-2011 and 2019-2023) and Assistant Democratic Leader (2011-2019 and 2023-2024). In 2024 James Enos Clyburn won election to Congress for a seventeenth term.