Published: July 08, 2009 07:32 pm      

Obama appoints Berger as federal judge for W.Va.

WASHINGTON — In a historic announcement, President Barack Obama nominated Kanawha County Circuit Judge Irene C. Berger Wednesday for a federal judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in Bluefield.

Berger, a native of Berwind in McDowell County, served for 15 years as a circuit judge for the 13th Judicial Circuit of West Virginia. If confirmed by Congress, she would be the first African American woman to serve as a federal judge in West Virginia, according to U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

In a White House press release, Obama said Berger has demonstrated the “talent, expertise and fair-mindedness Americans expect and deserve from their judges.” Obama added he was “grateful” for Berger’s willingness to serve, adding he was confident she would apply the law with the utmost “impartiality and integrity.”

“Judge Berger is absolutely incredible,” Rockefeller said. “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.”

“Judge Berger’s outstanding contributions to her community and state are evidence that she will be a role model for jurists statewide,” Byrd added. “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.”

Berger was nominated Wednesday to 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, Jessica Tice, a spokeswoman for Rockefeller, said.

“She still has to be confirmed by the Senate,” Tice said of Berger. “The first step in that process is through the judiciary committee.”

Rockefeller and Byrd recommended the appointment of Berger to Obama.

According to Rockefeller and Byrd, Berger was the first in her family to attend college, and the first African American woman to serve as a circuit court judge in West Virginia. She currently resides in Kanawha County.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com