Rep Jim Clyburn wins hearts for holding Rep Brittany Pettersen's baby at presser: 'That is one great man'

WASHINGTON, DC:  South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn stole the spotlight with a baby in his arms during a June 10 press conference.

The 84-year-old, who has served in Congress since 1993, held the four-month-old son of Colorado Rep Brittany Pettersen during the event.

As lawmakers pushed for stronger background checks on firearm purchases, Clyburn — a veteran legislator and devoted family man who shares three daughters with his late wife, Emily Clyburn, and is both a grandfather and great-grandfather — added a human touch to the urgent call for safer gun laws.

Jim Clyburn volunteers to hold Brittany Pettersen's baby son she could address the press 

A video released by CBS News shows Representatives Jim Clyburn and Brittany Pettersen speaking to reporters as part of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

The lawmakers were introducing the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Check Act, both aimed at establishing universal background checks for firearm purchases.

The video begins with Rep Pettersen stepping up to the microphone with her four-month-old son, Sam, in her arms. As she struggled to place her notes on the podium while holding the baby, the 84-year-old quickly stepped in to help, volunteering to hold Sam so she could address the press.

The spontaneous moment was widely shared online, with many praising Clyburn’s warm, grandfatherly gesture.

Pettersen was clearly touched by the act, saying with a smile, “I love that. I can’t wait to tell him one day that Representative Clyburn was holding him," as per People.

The Colorado congresswoman and her husband, Ian Silverii, welcomed Sam on January 25. The couple also has a five-year-old son named Davis. Known for blending motherhood with public service, Pettersen has often brought her children with her to work.

She even carried baby Sam onto the House floor earlier this year while advocating for remote voting options for members of Congress on maternity leave.

Jim Clyburn and Brittany Pettersen reflect on heartwarming moment at press conference

Rep Jim Clyburn later took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to reflect on the heartwarming moment he shared while holding his colleague’s baby boy during the press conference.

He began his post by highlighting the purpose of the event: “Today I joined my colleagues on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to reintroduce my bill to close the Charleston Loophole and @RepThompson 's to make background checks universal."

Clyburn then mentioned the touching moment that captured public attention: “I also had the pleasure of looking after @RepPettersen 's baby boy Sam as she spoke—a reminder of the future generations we are fighting for.”

His post was accompanied by a series of photos from the event, one showing him addressing the press, another holding baby Sam, a third capturing Clyburn, Pettersen, and the baby together, and a final image of Clyburn speaking while Pettersen holds her son.

Meanwhile, Rep Pettersen also shared her own tribute on X, posting a photo of Clyburn cradling Sam.

She wrote, "One day I will show Sam this photo of @RepJamesClyburn holding him while we fought to protect kids like him."

"Gun violence is the #1 killer of children in America. But Trump is backing the gun lobby instead of our families. I joined my colleagues in introducing expanded background checks legislation to create a safer future for all our kids," added the 43-year-old, who has been representing Colorado's 7th congressional district since 2023.

Jim Clyburn’s heartfelt gesture steals the spotlight during press conference

Jim Clyburn’s grandfatherly gesture of stepping in to hold his colleague’s four-month-old son during a press conference has sparked conversation online, with many praising the act as a touching display of warmth and care.

One wrote, "That's a real grandpa!" and another said, "The gentleman has that 'I get to hold the baby!' smile."

A person shared, "Kindness is so rare nowadays, when it's offered it makes headline news. Wow," whereas someone else added, "Let grandpa Jim handle it."

"Great Way to show how we all should help each other," one more wrote, while another added, "That was magical and so sweet! He's giving sweetheart grampa vibes!" 

A person dubbed Clyburn "a real genuine man," with another echoing, "What a real man."

"Love this!! We love to see people supporting hard working mothers!!" a comment read. 

An emotional commenter expressed, "Bless your heart, the power of love among us is stronger and the chaos including the violence is preventing all that beautiful love to manifest in every state in America. Hate and division including violence will be defeated and the whole country will feel God's love again 🙏❤️. Thanks for sharing the power of love around the country."

One more said, "Now that is one great Man..This is how the world should be.."

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