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Mary Frances Berry is the controversial former chairwoman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights who reluctantly left office at the expiration of her term in late 2004. She was succeeded by Gerald A. Reynolds.
Berry was first appointed to the commission by President Jimmy Carter and was elevated to Chairman by Bill Clinton. During her extended tenure she became involved in lengthy legal battles with presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Berry's name became associated with controversy during the first term of the George W. Bush's administration during which she refused to seat two of the president's appointments to vacancies on the board. Berry unsuccessfully argued that the previous holders of the vacant seats still retained time on their appointments but was ordered to seat the new appointments after an extended battle in federal court. The dispute also centered around which party would have a majority on the board.
Though she officially identifies herself as an independent, Ms. Berry has an extended history of giving support and campaign contributions to Democrats.
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