G. K. Butterfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
G. K. Butterfield
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Official portrait, 2019
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| House Democratic Senior Chief Deputy Whip | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – December 30, 2022 |
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| Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
| Preceded by | John Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Jan Schakowsky |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 1st district |
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| In office July 20, 2004 – December 30, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Ballance |
| Succeeded by | Don Davis |
| Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Marcia Fudge |
| Succeeded by | Cedric Richmond |
| Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court | |
| In office February 5, 2001 – January 1, 2003 |
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| Appointed by | Mike Easley |
| Preceded by | I. Beverly Lake Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Edward Thomas Brady |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
George Kenneth Butterfield Jr.
April 27, 1947 Wilson, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | North Carolina Central University (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968–1970 |
| Rank | Specialist |
George Kenneth Butterfield Jr. (born April 27, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district from 2004 to 2022. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
His district covered parts of 19 counties in northeastern North Carolina. Butterfield has always worked for civil rights. In 2001, Governor Mike Easley appointed him as a judge to the North Carolina Supreme Court. He held this position until 2003. He was also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and led it from 2015 to 2017.
In November 2021, Butterfield announced he would not run for re-election in 2022. He left his position on December 30, 2022.
Contents
Early Life and Education
G. K. Butterfield grew up in Wilson, North Carolina. At that time, the city had segregated areas. His family was well-known in North Carolina's African-American community.
His mother, Addie, taught elementary school for 48 years. She helped students learn to read, which was a right many Black people in the South were denied. His father, G. K. Butterfield Sr., was an immigrant from Bermuda. He was a dentist for 50 years in East Wilson. In the 1940s, he helped start the local branch of the NAACP. This group worked to register Black voters. In 1953, his father became the first African American elected to the Wilson city council. He was also the first Black elected official in eastern North Carolina since Reconstruction.
Butterfield finished high school in Wilson. He then went to North Carolina Central University (NCCU). This is a historically Black university. He earned degrees in political science and sociology.
While at NCCU, Butterfield helped people register to vote. He organized voter registration drives and student marches. After college, he studied law at the NCCU School of Law. He earned his law degree in 1974.
During his junior year at NCCU, Butterfield joined the United States Army. He served from 1968 to 1970 and was honorably discharged. He then returned to NCCU to finish his degree.
He grew up seeing the unfair treatment of his Black community. This included efforts to remove his father from the city council. He later became the leader of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Judicial Career
After law school, Butterfield worked as a civil rights attorney for 14 years. He practiced law across eastern North Carolina. During this time, he became known for winning important cases about voting rights.
In 1988, Butterfield was elected as a judge for the North Carolina Superior Court. From 1989 to 2001, he oversaw civil and criminal cases in 46 North Carolina counties. In February 2001, Governor Mike Easley appointed him to the North Carolina Supreme Court.
In 2002, he lost his seat on the Supreme Court. However, Governor Easley appointed him back to the Superior Court. He served there until May 2004. He then retired to run for the United States House of Representatives.
Political Career
Butterfield was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in a special election. This happened on July 20, 2004. He took the place of Frank Ballance, who had resigned. Butterfield officially started his new role on July 21, 2004.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Butterfield won his first full term in November 2004. He was re-elected many times, serving in Congress for over 18 years. He consistently won his elections with strong support from voters.
Committee Work
As a member of Congress, Butterfield worked on several important committees. These groups study different topics and help create laws.
- Committee on Energy and Commerce: This committee deals with energy, technology, and health.
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Energy
- Subcommittee on Health
- Committee on House Administration: This committee oversees the daily operations of the House of Representatives.
- Subcommittee on Elections
He also served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee in the past.
Caucus Memberships
Butterfield was part of several groups called caucuses. These are groups of lawmakers who share common interests.
- Congressional Black Caucus (he was the chair from 2015 to 2017)
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
- Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus
- Congressional Out-of-Poverty Caucus
Starting in 2007, Butterfield was chosen as a Chief Deputy Whip for the House Democratic Caucus. Chief Deputy Whips help guide the Democratic Party's policies. They also make sure that laws get passed by keeping good communication with other members. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn appointed him to this role.
Political Positions
As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Butterfield supported the American Clean Energy and Security Act. He believed in using different kinds of energy sources. He also wanted to find more clean and domestic energy for the United States.
Butterfield was a strong supporter of civil rights. He worked to renew the Voting Rights Act. This law helps protect the right to vote for all citizens. He also proposed a bill to honor the enslaved people who helped build the U.S. Capitol.
In 2009, Butterfield introduced the "Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act." This bill aimed to help states inspect hotels and train staff to deal with bed bugs. He also helped pass a bill to increase the net worth amount for small businesses owned by disadvantaged people.
Butterfield supported the Affordable Care Act. This law aimed to make health care more affordable and accessible. He worked with the Energy and Commerce Committee to help write this important legislation.
He believed in increasing taxes for very wealthy families. At the same time, he wanted to lower taxes for middle- and low-income families. He also supported using government spending to improve the economy. However, he wanted to reduce government rules on private businesses.
Butterfield voted against defining marriage as only between one man and one woman. He also voted against job discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation. In 2010, he voted to end the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. This policy had prevented openly gay people from serving in the military.
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In 2008, Butterfield voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). This was a large government bailout for the financial industry. He also voted against a rescue package for the auto industry.
In 2011, he voted to extend parts of the Patriot Act. This law was passed after the September 11 attacks to help fight terrorism. He also voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.
In 2012, Butterfield introduced a bill about road tolls. This law would require more public input before tolls are added to roads. This was in response to groups who opposed tolls on I-95. They argued that tolls meant paying taxes twice.
In April 2012, Butterfield joined President Obama at the University of North Carolina. They spoke about keeping interest rates low for federal student loans. Butterfield worried that higher rates would make it harder for students to pay for college.
On July 23, 2014, Butterfield introduced a resolution to approve a memorial. This memorial would honor the over 5,000 enslaved and free Black people. They fought for independence in the American Revolution.
Personal Life
Butterfield is married to Dr. Sylvia Chester Butterfield. He has three children from his previous marriage to Jean Farmer-Butterfield. His four grandsons are Dahntay Jones Jr., Dillon Jones, Chase Smith, and Gavin Smith.
He is a lifelong member of Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina. He has served as a Trustee and Chairman of the Finance Ministry there. He also serves on the Board of Visitors for the North Carolina Central University School of Law. He is a Trustee of Gallaudet University.
In 2017, the city of Greenville named its new transit center after him. It is called the G.K. Butterfield Transportation Center. In 2024, a part of Interstate 95 and the Wilson train station were also named in his honor.
Images for kids
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Butterfield speaking at the 2012 Democratic National Convention
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See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- North Carolina Democratic Party
