Obama makes historic nomination to West Virginia's federal bench

by: Carnacki

Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 08:50:19 AM EDT

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd today applauded President Obama's nomination of the Honorable Irene C. Berger for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

"Judge Berger is absolutely incredible. Her historic nomination makes me so very proud. She has served Kanawha County strongly and honorably as circuit judge, and I know she will do the same for all West Virginians. Her integrity, compassion and fairness are unmatched, and I am thrilled that President Obama has nominated her for this esteemed position," said Rockefeller.  

"Judge Berger's outstanding contributions to her community and state are evidence that she will be a role model for jurists statewide," Byrd said. "Irene Berger has exhibited an impeccable dedication to fair and impartial justice for all, and it is the good fortune of all West Virginians to have her nominated for the federal bench."

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 also would be West Virginia's first African American federal judge.