United States Senator Jay Rockefeller for West Virginia
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Press Room: Press Releases

October 27, 2009

ROCKEFELLER VOTES FOR BERGER NOMINATION ON U.S. SENATE FLOOR

~ Berger Confirmed to Historic Federal Judgeship in West Virginia~

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller spoke out in support of and then voted to confirm the Honorable Irene C. Berger for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.  Judge Berger was confirmed by the entire U.S. Senate with a vote of 97 to 0.

 

“Judge Berger is absolutely incredible and her historic confirmation today makes me so very proud.  She has served Kanawha County honorably as circuit judge and I know she will do the same for all West Virginians in her new post.  I have had the pleasure of knowing Judge Berger for years, and I continue to be amazed by her tremendous intellect, integrity and dedication to public service.  She is a phenomenal person and a true professional, which is why I was so proud to join with Senator Byrd in recommending her to the President for this judgeship,” said Rockefeller. 

 

Following Judge Berger’s confirmation by the Senate, she will await a formal swearing-in to assume her duties.  Judge Berger is only the fourth circuit or district judge to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate this year.

 

View Senator Rockefeller’s floor statement on Judge Berger here.

 

View a video of Senator Rockefeller's remarks on Judge Berger here.


View the Congressional Record statement from Senator Rockefeller here.

 

Judge Berger Background

 

Judge Berger is a native of Berwind and has served for 15 years as circuit judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia.  As Rockefeller and Byrd pointed out to President Obama in recommending her for this position, she has been a person of firsts throughout her life.  She was among the first to integrate her local elementary school, the first in her family to attend college, and the first African American woman to serve as circuit court judge in West Virginia.  Judge Berger will be West Virginia’s first African American federal judge.

 

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