U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield - Spring 2007 Commencement Speaker

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will hold its 2007 spring commencement exercises at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 12, in the Greensboro Coliseum. U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina’s 1 st District will deliver the keynote address. Approximately 1,100 students will receive degrees at the commencement exercises.

Congressman Butterfield is a life-long resident of eastern North Carolina. His father was a well respected dentist and civic leader in Wilson for many years and was the first black elected official in eastern North Carolina in the 20th century. His mother was a classroom teacher for 48 years.

A graduate of Charles H. Darden High School in Wilson, Butterfield earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from North Carolina Central University. After law school, Butterfield practiced law in his hometown. His law practice was devoted to representing poor people with extraordinary legal problems. He is best known for successfully handling several voting rights lawsuits in eastern North Carolina counties resulting in the Court-ordered implementation of district elections for local officials.

In 1988, Butterfield was elected Resident Superior Court Judge in the First Judicial Division. For the next 12 years, he presided over civil and criminal court in 46 counties of North Carolina.

In February 2001, Gov. Mike Easley appointed Butterfield to the seven-member North Carolina Supreme Court. He served on the Supreme Court until December 31, 2002, when he returned to the Superior Court.

Butterfield retired from the judiciary in April 2004 when he was selected by the Democratic Party as the nominee in the July special election for the United States House of Representatives. His victory entitled him to complete the term of his predecessor. Since winning that special election, Butterfield has been twice re-elected to serve full two-year terms in the House of Representatives.

Congressman Butterfield serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as three sub-committees: Energy and Air Quality (vice chairman); Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection; and Environment and Hazardous Materials.

Beginning in the 110th Congress, Butterfield was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, to serve as one of eight Chief Deputy Whips responsible for helping to formulate Democratic policy and insuring the passage of legislation by maintaining good communication with members. He is the first Democratic member of Congress from North Carolina to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip.

Congressman Butterfield is a lifelong member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson. He is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a personnel specialist. He is the father of adult daughters, Valeisha and Lenai.