[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 56 (Thursday, May 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E788]]
       HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF MAYOR JOE B. JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 7, 1998

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of a hard-working, dedicated public servant, Mayor Joe B. 
Jackson. Mayor Jackson has served the City of Murfreesboro, my home 
town, for the past 30 years. First as city councilman from 1968 to 
1982, then as Mayor until his retirement on May 7, 1998.
  During his tenure, Murfreesboro has grown from the quaint, southern, 
small town to one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. When 
Mayor Jackson began his public life, Murfreesboro's population was 
around 25,000--now, under his leadership, the population has grown to 
over 60,000. Although the growth has been tremendous, especially in the 
past ten years, Mayor Jackson has made sure we continue to maintain our 
exceptional quality of life.
  Murfreesboro has faced many challenges since Mayor Jackson first took 
office. One was to successfully recruit more industry to the area, 
therefore providing better job opportunities for young people. While 
many point to industrial development as his single greatest 
accomplishment, it has been his vision and leadership that has proven 
time and time again to bring our community together to do the long-
range planning necessary.
  As the senior member of the council, he has always been the first one 
willing to learn. One of his greatest talents is his ability to look 
ahead, not just to the next week or next election, but his ability to 
look to the future and plan for the changes that lie ahead.
  Mayor Jackson has not only served at the helm of our fair city, but 
he has also held leadership positions as the past-president of the 
Tennessee Municipal League and as a member of the Board of Directors at 
The National League of Cities.
  Although he may be retiring as Mayor, he is not retiring from public 
service--it's in his blood. Besides, we do not plan on letting him 
retire. I know I will turn to him for advice, and am confident future 
city leaders will do the same.
  It goes without saying that Mayor Jackson would not be the leader he 
is today without the support and guidance of one special individual, 
his wife, Frances. She not only helped raise three wonderful daughters, 
Janeese, Jodi and Jennifer, but she has always been there by his side 
through the ups and downs. Everyone in Murfreesboro knows their 
accomplishments are joint accomplishments.
  On a personal note, Mayor Jackson has meant a great deal to me and my 
family. Mayor Jackson has known my parents since they all attended 
college together at Middle Tennessee State University. His family, 
along with mine, have been longtime members of Saint Mark's Methodist 
Church in Murfreesboro.
  Mayor Jackson, we will forever be indebted to you. Thank you for 
sharing your time and your love to help make Murfreesboro a better 
place to live for all of us.

                          ____________________