Special to the Daily News

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today took the oath of office to officially begin his sixth term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving North Carolina’s First Congressional District.
Butterfield said, “I am so pleased to have another opportunity to serve my fellow North Carolinians.  I have never lost sight of what it means to be a Congressional representative.  For eight years, the people of eastern North Carolina have trusted me to be their advocate in Washington.  And for eight years I have done just that–remaining laser-focused on job creation, affordable healthcare, and economic development.  I look forward to advancing the expanding needs and interests of communities throughout the First District in the 113th Congress.”
In November, Butterfield was unanimously selected by his colleagues to serve as Vice Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.  Today, he was reappointed Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus, serving as an integral part of the Democratic leadership team.  Butterfield is also expected to continue serving as a member of the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce where he previously served as Ranking Member of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee.
In addition to the start of a new Congress, Butterfield also represents a new constituency.  The redrawn First District now encompasses 24 counties in eastern North Carolina, including parts of Durham and Franklin Counties.
“I welcome the City of Durham, Durham County, and Franklin County to the First Congressional District.  The addition of these two counties will strengthen the First District and add to the culture and values of eastern North Carolina.”
Butterfield was raised in Wilson, North Carolina and is the only child of G. K. Butterfield, Sr., a dentist and Addie Butterfield, a school teacher.  A graduate of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and NCCU School of Law, Congressman Butterfield enjoyed a distinguished 30-year legal career as a civil rights attorney, a state Superior Court Judge and as a North Carolina Supreme Court Justice before being elected to Congress in 2004.  Butterfield has three adult daughters: Tunya, Valeisha and Lenai and three grandchildren.