
James Clyburn grew up in Sumter, South Carolina. As a young man, he knew that someday he would be part of the political process in Washington, D.C. Today, he works in D.C. as a South Carolina congressman. Congressman Clyburn and other members of Congress work together in order to pass new laws.
Congressman Clyburn's interest in politics began while attending South Carolina State College in Orangeburg. During the 1960s, he enlisted other students to work for the Congress of Racial Equality, or CORE, a group that advocated civil rights. After graduating from college, Congressman Clyburn worked as a teacher and an employment counselor. Continuing his role in public service, he directed two youth and community development projects in Charleston, South Carolina. Congressman Clyburn entered State government in 1971, working under Governor John C. West. In 1974, Governor West appointed him the South Carolina Human Affairs Commissioner. As Commissioner, his duty was to eliminate discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. He remained commissioner until he was elected to Congress in 1992, his district's first African-American Congressman since 1897.
Congressman Clyburn works on issues and problems affecting both South Carolina and the United States. He has pushed for laws to preserve historic African-American schools and universities. In 1996, Congressman Clyburn helped create the South Carolina Heritage Corridor, a protected 200-mile route used to educate people about the state's history, culture, and natural landscapes. Congressman Clyburn also takes time to visit students in South Carolina schools. His message is, "it doesn't matter where you started from, you can be what you want to be. I often tell young people to hold fast to their dreams and never let others discourage them."
Standards
- This indicator was developed to promote inquiry into how the lifestyles of those living in capitalist countries differed from those living in communist countries. This indicator was also designed to promote inquiry into how the rights of citizens differed in capitalist and communist countries.
- This indicator was designed to promote inquiry into military and economic policies during World War II, to include the significance of military bases in South Carolina. This indicator was also developed to foster inquiry into postwar economic developments and demographic changes, to include the immigration of Jewish refugees following the Holocaust.
James Clyburn creció en Sumter, Carolina del Sur. Cuando era joven, sabía que algún día sería parte del proceso político en Washington, D.C. Hoy en día, trabaja en D.C. como congresista de Carolina del Sur. El congresista Clyburn y otros miembros del Congreso trabajan juntos para aprobar nuevas leyes.
El interés del congresista Clyburn en la política comenzó mientras asistía al South Carolina State College en Orangeburg. Durante la década de 1960, alistó a otros estudiantes para trabajar por el Congres of Racial Equality or CORE (Congreso de Igualdad Racial), un grupo que abogaba por los Derechos Civiles. Después de graduarse de la universidad, el congresista Clyburn trabajó como profesor y consejero de empleo. Continuando con su papel en el servicio público, dirigió dos proyectos de desarrollo juvenil y comunitario en Charleston, Carolina del Sur. El congresista Clyburn ingresó al gobierno estatal en 1971, trabajando bajo el gobernador John C. West. En 1974, el gobernador West lo nombró Comisionado de Asuntos Humanos de Carolina del Sur. Como Comisario, su deber era eliminar la discriminación en el empleo, la vivienda y las adaptaciones públicas. Permaneció como comisionado hasta que fue elegido para el Congreso en 1992, el primer congresista Afroamericano de su distrito desde 1897.
El congresista Clyburn trabaja en temas y problemas que afectan tanto a Carolina del Sur como a los Estados Unidos. Ha impulsado leyes para preservar las históricas escuelas y universidades Afroamericanas. En 1996, el congresista Clyburn ayudó a crear el South Carolina Heritage Corridor, una ruta protegida de 200 millas utilizada para educar a la gente sobre la historia, la cultura y los paisajes naturales del estado. El congresista Clyburn también toma tiempo para visitar a los estudiantes en las escuelas de Carolina del Sur. Su mensaje es, " no importa en donde empieces, puedes ser lo que quieres. A menudo les digo a los jóvenes que se aferren a sus sueños y que nunca permitan que otros los desanimen”