WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Jim Clyburn's family speaks about the Congressman

Jim Clyburn's family speaks about the Congressman

(Midlands) January 3, 2007 - When the Democrats take over power of Congress Thursday, Sixth District Congressman Jim Clyburn will be sworn in as majority whip.

WIS has a rare and exclusive look at the congressman's personal side. Clyburn and his family recently sat down with WIS' Craig Melvin. They talked about the way he met his wife, his never-ending stories, and what being a politician has meant for his two grandchildren.

Being a Congressman's granddaughter has perks, according to Sydney Reed, "When I was like five or six, he brought me a turtle from Cuba."

Grandpa will soon be the third most powerful man in Congress. "I knew since I was eight or nine-years-old what I wanted to be, what I wanted to do," says Jim Clyburn.

Clyburn knew he wanted to be a politician. The 66-year-old grew up in Sumter the son of a beautician and a preacher who would have preferred his son preach.

Clyburn went to then South Carolina State College. That's where he met Emily, "When we met at SC State in 1957, he was fairly political. He was on the debate team. He campaigned for the first female, I believe, president of the Student Government Association."

When he wasn't debating or campaigning, Emily says, "He was a member of the Anderson-Davis Players at SC State, so he acted."

Shakespeare took a backseat to civil disobedience in 1950's Orangeburg. Clyburn says, "My first real memory of Emily came on the day that we were all being bailed out of jail."

Clyburn helped organize a civil rights protest at a local drugstore. When he got out of jail, there was one thing on his mind, "I was hungry. Lord, I was hungry."

"She walked up to me and had this hamburger in her hand and offered it to me. When I reached for it, she pulled it back and broke it in half, gave me half the hamburger and she kept the other half, so I tell everybody she got me for half a hamburger."

They've had each other more than 40 years. Along the way they had three girls.

"Our youngest, Angela, is our free spirit ... Jennifer, our number two daughter, is married ... She's a school teacher, loves teaching."

He also spoke to Craig about "Mignon, our oldest," Mignon lives in Charleston and, according to Clyburn, "She has a significant streak of independence that sometimes irritates me."

For Mignon, dad's stories are just as annoying, "You might have heard one part of the story in '72. And then, Mom used to call it yeast. It just keeps growing and growing and growing!"

It's much like Clyburn's political legend, from Lowcountry school teacher to staffer for Governor John West to State Human Affairs Commissioner to powerful Congressman. The achievements didn't come without sacrifice. Emily says, "He has made a habit being away from home a lot."

"I was then left with the girls to go to school, to go to ballet, to go to piano, music, and orchestra to sit through all that screeching as they practiced."

But Clyburn doesn't regret the time away, "No, not at all. I think a lot of my being away has been very beneficial to my family, especially my children."

"We are but the sum total of our experiences."

Angela has benefited from the Congressman's travels, "I'd never been out of the country, so when I went to Barcelona, Spain with dad it was nice, had a lot fun."

Angela gained exposure, and Jennifer tells Craig she gained empathy, "The big heart that I have, the compassion for children, I think I learned for him."

Congressman Clyburn admits he wouldn't be surprised if the one with the independent streak turned out to be his successor. "Craig, I am interested in public service. We were raised and our grandparents, both sides, and our parents established this template for us."

She might be his only hope for a political dynasty. The grandkids seem to have other plans. Sydney says, "I either want to be an inventor or a scientist."

But not a member of Congress.

Reported by Craig Melvin

Posted 6:12pm by Chantelle Janelle