(Columbia, SC) – House Majority Whip and Sixth District Congressman James E. Clyburn issued the following statement today on the selection of Vernita Dore to lead the South Carolina USDA Rural Development office.   

"I am pleased with the White House's announcement today that Vernita Dore will be the first African American woman to serve as State Director of the South Carolina Rural Development Office.  She has worked with the agency since 1987, and has the expertise and skills needed to lead this agency in a proactive direction.  

"South Carolina's rural areas are struggling as cotton and tobacco are no longer the economic engines they once were.  I believe Ms. Dore has the vision and the passion to help build new economies in our rural communities.  I look forward to working with her in this new capacity to ensure our rural areas, especially those along the I-95 corridor, receive the support and resources necessary to improve their quality of life."  

#   #   #