Published: October 28, 2009 04:26 pm      

Historic confirmation: Bipartisan support of Berger welcomed

The U.S. Senate’s unanimous confirmation of Judge Irene C. Berger to a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in Bluefield is welcomed.

Berger, a native of Berwind in McDowell County, was nominated to the judgeship earlier this year by President Barack Obama. She previously served for 15 years as a circuit judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia. She will be the first African American woman to serve as a federal judge in West Virginia. Gov. Joe Manchin will appoint a successor to replace Berger on the state bench as she prepares to assume the federal judgeship.

Both U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., voted in support of Berger’s nomination. Her confirmation was approved by a vote of 96 to 0. Berger now awaits a formal swearing-in before assuming her official duties.

Berger will replace U.S. District Judge Dave Faber in West Virginia’s Southern District.

Faber vacated the federal judgeship in Bluefield when he assumed senior status on Dec. 31, 2008.

Berger has devoted her legal career to public service in West Virginia, and broke “barrier after barrier” in the Mountain State, according to Byrd.

“As a young attorney, she provided legal services to those who are most needy,” Byrd said. “As a prosecutor, Judge Berger obtained many high-profile felony convictions. Judge Berger has served as a circuit judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia for 15 years, and she has devoted countless hours of service to her community. Through her drive and determination, Judge Berger broke barrier after barrier. She was the first in her family to attend college, and she was the first African American woman to serve as a circuit judge in West Virginia.”

Rockefeller called Berger a “phenomenal person and a true professional,” adding that he continues to be amazed by her “tremendous intellect, integrity and dedication to public service.”

With such issues as health care reform sharply dividing our elected officials in Washington, it is refreshing to see a rare vote of bipartisan support as we did with Tuesday’s unanimous approval of Berger’s confirmation.

We applaud the U.S. Senate for unanimously approving this historic nomination, and we wish Berger the best of luck as she prepares to assume the Southern District judgeship.