Clyburn quits museum board
Hopes to sidestep conflict of interest
By David Slade
Hoping to avoid a potential conflict of interest, House Majority Leader Jim Clyburn stepped down Monday as chairman of the board of the International African American Museum, which is in the planning stages in Charleston.
Clyburn, who tucked an $800,000 earmark for the museum into the federal budget approved late last year, said he decided to resign from the board after learning Friday that his nephew, Derrick Ballard, works for one of the two architectural firms recently hired to design the $70-$80 million museum.
"I think it's best for me to step out of the picture so that the funding can move forward," said Clyburn, D-S.C.
He said that attempting to secure federal funding for the proposed museum while also serving as board chairman could lead to conflicts.
"I'll play whatever role the museum committee wants me to play, but I don't want to be in a decision-making role," Clyburn said. "I'm certainly going to be working as hard as I can to find funding, both in the public and private sector."
In 2006, Clyburn was scrutinized by The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News for setting aside federal money for the Five Rivers community development organization, which hired the same nephew to design a building and reportedly paid the firm nearly $70,000 for initial work, though the building was never completed.
Five Rivers also employed Clyburn's brother, Charles Clyburn.
Clyburn said the federal money he earmarked for Five Rivers was never appropriated, and he didn't know of his relatives' involvement with the organization, but he said that's just the sort of appearance of impropriety he's trying to avoid with the International African American Museum.
"There was no substance to it, but a lot of headlines," he said.
Ballard works for Antoine Predock of Albuquerque, N.M., a nationally recognized architectural firm that teamed up with Moody Nolan of Columbus, Ohio, the nation's largest black-owned architectural firm, to win the contract to design the International African American Museum. He could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
Rita Scott, vice chairwoman of the museum's board, said board members were unaware the Predock firm employed a relative of Clyburn's when the firm was selected.
"None of us knew," Scott said. "It was a firm that we unanimously felt was the right firm."
Predock won the American Institute of Architects' national gold medal in 2006, and Moody Nolan principal Curt Moody won the AIA Ohio gold medal in 2007.
The museum's architect selection committee, which includes Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, unanimously picked the Moody/Predock team in February after interviewing three other finalists.
Members of both architectural firms, including Ballard, gave a presentation to the full museum board Monday morning. A contract with the firm is under development.
The International African American Museum is planned for a vacant city-owned lot at the foot of Calhoun Street near the South Carolina Aquarium. The estimated cost is between $70 million and $80 million.
Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.
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KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Clyburn should resign from Congress just for supporting museums that are based on race. This is a boondoggle and another way to promote black segregation at the expense of taxpayers. This museum should be scuttled into oblivion and not allowed to enter the trash heap of government waste.
March 4, 2008 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realityck (anonymous) says...
Clyburn secures the funding via an earmark, his nephew works for one of the architectural firms that will do the work, and he resigns to avoid a potential "conflict of interest", how nice. Sounds to me like Clyburn is just a little late on that one. It seems, according to the story, Clyburn has a pattern of behavior with things like this.
March 4, 2008 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
KidYendor, what is wrong with an African American museum? And it's not the taxpayers paying for it. From my understanding, the money is coming from grants, donation, and fund raisers.
March 4, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greener1 (anonymous) says...
He's more racist than a Klan member burning a cross. With this little episode, he's just as DIRTY!
March 4, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
posperous..It is wrong to have museums based only on race and not on historical significance as a whole. What's next a White American Museum? What is wrong is wrong. Because one race claims to be downtrodden and says it needs a break or exclusion from condemnation for this sort of museum project does not make it right.
March 4, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
Name one constructive thing Clyburn has done in his thirty or more years in public office? You can't because he hasn't. Total waste of a congressional seat!
March 4, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldglory (anonymous) says...
maybe he comes from a large family?
March 4, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
prosperous_hb: And it's not the taxpayers paying for it. From my understanding, the money is coming from grants, donation, and fund raisers.
Last time I checked, a FEDERAL EARMARK is funded by taxpayers.
March 4, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
A federal earmark means that it is coming straight out of the taxpayers pockets.
I dont care what kind of museum this is for, the taxpayers should not be footing the bill. If the museum is worth its salt than the free market will pay for it.
How have we as a people let our representatives get to the point where they think they can spend our tax $$ on whatever suits there fancy.
Do you hear that whirring noise? That would be the sound of the founders of this nation spinning in their graves.
March 4, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
It's not race. There is a lot of history in the African American race. It doesn't have anything to do with the race being down trodden. Everytime we tried to do something positvie, you guys want to shoot it down or talk negative about it.
March 4, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
Posted by crankyyankee (anonymous) on March 4, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Name one constructive thing Clyburn has done in his thirty or more years in public office? You can't because he hasn't. Total waste of a congressional seat!
If he did't do anything in thirty years, then he would not be the House majority whip!!!
March 4, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
Thank for clearing up my misunderstanding of the federal earmark. I don't mind having my tax dollars pay for something like this. At least I know it's something beneficial.
March 4, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
realityck (anonymous) says...
Well said mosinfan, well said. When will these politicians ever come to the realization that it is OUR money they are throwing around. I agree, if the museum is worth havaing, then let it be paid for with private donations and keep the taxpayer money out of it.
March 4, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
YankeeLady (anonymous) says...
A museum celebrating African American history may be admirable, but should be funded privately. Then again, special treatment is the politically correct thing to do. You might also want to look at the names of those on the Board for this museum, and then look at approved real estate developments over the past year or so.
March 4, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I continue to support those in congress who do nothing, for they do no harm. Unfortunately, this one spends our money, and I am sure that he has helped pass a law.
March 4, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
What a waste of taxpayer money. We need better infrastructure, not a museum. Please.
March 4, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
He who casts the first stone, John Q....
March 4, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
JOHNQ-what the hell are you talking about? It's thinking like that which will keep racism alive and well forever. You can't do a thing about some people who have racist tendencies-and yes, there are plenty of whites AND blacks that are racist-but you CAN better yourself. The crap you just spewed is a perfect example of how NOT to get rid of racism. Just more fuel for the fire. Your momma should have told you when you were young that 2 wrongs don't make a right. Sounds simple, but it's true. Otherwise, we just keep going in these circles forever. Who is going to take the stand to stop this kind of insanity? Definitely not people like JohnQ. To set the record straight, there is no way in hell that ANYONE can change the past-we can only look to the future, so like you said-get over it or leave!
BTW-I am not a racist at all...I dislike everyone the same!
March 4, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
John Q I had to laugh ut loud at your remark about people being ashamed of their relative's conduct. You are obviously making a thinly veiled attempt to assign guilt to those whose ancestors owned slaves. Over and done, buddy, over and done. The people who harbored slaves are long dead, so don't try to lord that one over on us. You can't control the actions of people whose lives preceeded yours.
March 4, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Test2007 (anonymous) says...
I guess I should also mention that there are Irish, Native American, Jewish, Asian museums and so on...
Why everyone is getting riled up about this one defies logic but I shouldn't expect anything else.
March 4, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
John Q, can you name one person alive today in the United States who has a parent that was a slave? You cannot.
Jahn Q, can you name one person alive today in the United States who has a parent that owned a slave? You cannot.
John Q, can you cite me chapter and verse in the United States Constitution that gives the United States Congress the authority to allocate tax dollars on this Museum? You cannot.
You are obviously a product of our fine public school systems history curricula, or lack therof.
March 4, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
John Q, not by my logic but by the founders logic. That is why we have a United States Constitution. The idea of using tax dollars for those things just does not pass the test.
I dont have a problem with any museum, the Hunley restoration, or the flag for that matter. If people think those things are worthy then they will support it with their $$, if not than it doesnt make it. Period.
I just have a problem with using tax dollars for those things.
As for the flag, I dont know of any federal tax $$ that went into that issue. Personally I dont care one way or the other about the Confederate flag. My flag is the United States flag.
You liberals always want to use other peoples monies (tax $$) to fund things. If you had confidence in thier worthiness you would let the free market determine if it needs to exist.
March 4, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
John Q, and anyone else interested in the why the founders wanted limited goverment please take the time to read this true story about an event in the life of Davey Crockett.
Congressman Davy Crockett learns about limited government
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a...
A little long but well worth the read no matter what your political persuasions might be.
March 4, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
Yes we should stop federal funding of the hunley project. Let state or private dollars attend to it. We should also stop the legume (bean) museum. And the teapot museum,the cowgirl museum, the mule museum, woodstock museum, prison museum, transportation museum, and on and on and on...while we're at it we can stop federal funds supporting the grammys, the emmys, the oscars...and maybe federal excise funds (from every gallon of gas we buy) should go to federal projects instead of city sidewalks, walking trails, bike paths, stoplights, parks, beach re-nourishment and boat landings.
As for JohnQ, there is no end to federal monies or what they can be used for in his opinion. His constitution is the fascist manifesto of 1919. He firmly believes in a dictatorial democracy where 3 wolves and a sheep vote on what's for dinner and government owns all profits or incomes. This is a guy who thinks oil companies are gouging "the people" when their profits build up the retirement funds that teachers and firefighters unions have invested in, but government is not gouging us when it makes 3 times the money on the same gallon of gas and spends it on a bean museum in South Carolina.
March 4, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Perspective (anonymous) says...
In your arguing you have lost sight of the fact. He was involved in the conflict of interest before he stepped down. He must have got wind that someone was going to bring it to light. Smart political move. That is how you stay in office 30 years, even if you are pi$$ing away our tax dollars on pork barrel spending.
March 4, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
majorjohnson - I agree. We need a consumption tax, so the Govt. is more transparent. A Fairtax and repeal the 16th amendment.
Clyburn is doing underhanded deals and should be dealt with like Duke Cunningham. Jail!
March 4, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mosinfan (anonymous) says...
Outrage and Major J. nailed it.
We need the Fairtax and a repeal of the 16th.
Unfortunately it is an uphill battle because we have "trained" generations that they not only need to suckle at the .gov teat...they are entitled to it.
March 4, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Yes we need the Fairtax. Why aren't millions marching outside of IRS offices each March, waving signs and calling for the demise of this hideous organization that all regular working people hate? The federal government is a wreck and our country has become a wreck and I believe that museums designed to segregate races over others should be condemned by all. Read books about heritage instead of building expensive temples and Taj Mahals to fling in the face of differing races. Lets tear down the walls of hatred and segregation before they are built.
Say no to the IAAM.
March 4, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
It isn't just working people who hate it. Business hates it too. When Exxon made a 40 billion dollar profit they had to pay over 30 billion dollars in corporate taxes (thats after the government got the excise fees from the gas pumps). So Exxon and it's shareholders got 40 billion dollars after actually investing hundreds of billions creating jobs and supplying a product and the government got around 100 billion dollars out of that deal without creating a job or supplying anything. Then they get to brag about using those billions to "invest" in walking trails and bean museums. Then Hillary has the gall to say the government needs to take even more of Exxons profits so the government can spend it the "right" way. JohnQ is 100% behind that kinda thinking.
Business is moving their money overseas trying to hide it from our government because of these confiscatory tax codes. People cry about the cost of drugs and the "evil" pharm companies, but it's ok with people if government makes more off those drugs in taxes than the pharms do...and they want even more. For all this crying about the high price of everything from health care to milk and corn, the government is where the biggest chunk of money goes, and these people call the folks who actually do the work and supply the jobs and the product "evil and greedy" and call for government to dig their claws deeper.
March 4, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Our country is going topsy turvy promoting a bigger welfare class than a rich, upper and middle class. Why is it so evil to be successful and rich and owning businesses that make jobs and more income. "Lets tax the rich lets tax their profits!" What the politicians are saying is we want everyone to be poor and we will not stop pushing you around until you are poor too. When people finally say wait, I'd rather keep my money to buy $5 milk and $4 gas than pay taxes to honor politicians with their silly projects, programs, and temples, then we will get change. But I believe it is almost to late for America and we are doomed by our corrupt government style.
March 4, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
outrage (anonymous) says...
No offense, but the Dems do not want a consumption(fair) tax because they will no longer be able to buy votes with their giveaway programs. McCain has not even read the legislation. Hillary and Barack will not even listen to the proposals. They just keep voting for their pet projects.
Huckabee is for it, but it seems people are not ready for him.
Fairtax.org will show you who is behind it and who is not.
Dems for it Alexander,LA and Boren,OK. ex-Presidential Candidate (D)Mike Gravel.
People Like (D) Clyburn need to be voted out!
The Blogger up above who does not think they are paying for these pork-projects with your tax money, WAKE UP! Do some research and stop believing everything these politicians say.
March 4, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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