H.Res. 783 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 783 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 12, 2014 Ms. Wilson of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the 30th anniversary of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.’s 1984 presidential campaign and honoring his heroism and extraordinary service to the United States and the international community. Whereas the 30th anniversary of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign was celebrated at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Legacy Affair Gala during the Annual Symposium, “The Future of Civil Rights: Moving Towards First Class Economic, Political, and Digital Citizenship”; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson announced his historic campaign for President of the United States on November 3, 1983; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s campaign united people in the United States of all backgrounds and changed the face of United States politics; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s landmark run resulted in record registration and turnout among African-American voters, shifted the balance of power in the United States Senate, increased the number of African-Americans serving in Congress, and helped to elect the first African-Americans as Mayor of New York City and Governor of Virginia; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns paved the way for the first African-American President of the United States, President Barack Obama; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson was born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson was a prized student at the racially segregated Sterling High School, where he was elected student class president, finished 10th in his graduating class, and earned letters in baseball, football, and basketball; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 1964 from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he was elected student body president and became an active leader in protesting the segregation policies of Greensboro, North Carolina’s, public facilities; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson also earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary and over 40 honorary doctorate degrees for his lifelong work on civil and human rights; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson married his college sweetheart Jacqueline Lavinia Brown in 1963 and they have five children: Santita Jackson, Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., Jonathan Luther Jackson, Yusef DuBois Jackson, Esq., and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s leadership during the civil rights movement, including his role in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, were critical to the movement’s success and earned him commendations from fellow leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson led Operation Breadbasket and the Poor People's Campaign, organizations that tore down discriminatory economic barriers and empowered the Nation’s poor and dispossessed; Whereas in 1996, Rev. Jesse Jackson launched the renowned Rainbow PUSH Coalition in pursuit of equal rights for all people in the United States by merging two of his civil rights organization, Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition; Whereas from 1991 to 1997, Rev. Jesse Jackson served as a shadow United States Senator for the District of Columbia; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s extraordinary acts of heroism include facilitating the release of captured United States soldiers in Yugoslavia, imprisoned Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman in Syria, 48 Cuban and United States prisoners in Cuba, and United States soldiers held hostage in Kosovo; Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson has served as a spiritual advisor to President Bill Clinton and completed numerous diplomatic missions as a special United States envoy; Whereas in 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Rev. Jesse Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor; Whereas through the Rainbow Push Coalition, Rev. Jesse Jackson continues to be a drum major for justice and equality, having advocated for universal health care, direct peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, ending apartheid in South Africa, and advancing democracy in Haiti; and Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s work in the civil rights movement, diplomatic achievements, inspirational 1984 presidential campaign, and tireless advocacy for the downtrodden continues to inspire countless people in the United States and people from around the world: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the 30th anniversary of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.’s 1984 presidential campaign; (2) recognizes and commends Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., for his invaluable service to the Nation, efforts to empower disenfranchised people in the United States, and work to protect civil and human rights; and (3) encourages people in the United States to join the House of Representatives in honoring Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and celebrating his enduring transformative contributions to the Nation and the world.