[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO REVEREND F. BRANNON JACKSON IN CELEBRATION OF 36TH 
                            YEAR IN MINISTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and esteem that I 
wish to congratulate Reverend F. Brannon Jackson, who is celebrating 
his 36th year in the ministry. As the congregation at Calvary 
Institutional Church will attest, this praise is well deserved. Having 
overcome many obstacles in his life, Reverend Jackson serves as a role 
model for those wishing to start their life afresh and to have a 
positive influence over the lives of others.
  To the benefit of Northwest Indiana, Reverend Jackson's arrival in 
Gary was, in his own words, ``God's will.'' In 1946, after serving in 
the military, he planned to visit his cousins in the city while en 
route to San Francisco. Once here, this young man from Mobile, Alabama 
abandoned his plans to travel west, for he felt strangely drawn to this 
area, in spite of its differences from his native state.
  Until he received the call to the ministry, Reverend Jackson openly 
admits his early years in Gary were spent enjoying the frivolities in 
life. At the age of 22, eager to set himself on the path of success, he 
offered his skills as a welder to Gebraltar Insurance Company; later he 
secured other positions, first at Reliable Cab, and then at the Budd 
Plant. It was while at the Budd Plant that he accepted his call to the 
ministry. Incidentally, this call came disguised as a church hymn: 
while playing poker with friends, Reverend Jackson became agitated when 
a man began walking room to room singing these songs. He followed the 
man, intending to ask him to quiet down, but instead discovered the 
verses sung stirred a passion within his soul that has yet to be 
quelled. Under the direction of Reverend L.J. Harris and the New Mount 
Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Jackson freed himself from 
the entanglements complicating his life and set his feet upon this path 
of righteousness.
  Knowing his congregation would benefit from a minister well versed in 
spiritual, as well as secular affairs, Reverend Jackson began to 
challenge himself intellectually. He attended Chicago Baptist Institute 
and completed his GED, but his hunger for this intellectual development 
remained insatiable. Bolstered by his renewed faith in God and in 
himself, Reverend Jackson enrolled in Indiana Christian University, 
where he attained not only a bachelor's degree, but successfully earned 
a master's degree in religious arts.
  Reverend Jackson's devotion to the Baptist Church is best reflected 
by the distinguished positions he has held and by the awards he has 
garnered during his 36 years in the ministry. He served as the 
president of the General Missionary Baptist state convention and the 
Indiana state convention. He lent his religious expertise to the 
National Baptist Convention, where he participated as an active board 
member. The culmination of his many years of dedicated service to the 
Baptist Church was achieved in 1998, when Indiana Governor Frank 
O'Bannon honored him with the Sagamore of Wabash Award, the highest 
award the governor can bestow upon a citizen.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in honoring Reverend F. Brannon Jackson as he observes his 36th 
year in the ministry. His commitment to his faith, as well as his 
selfless contributions to his congregation, is worthy of our 
commendation. Reverend Jackson is one of many extraordinary examples of 
leadership and integrity characteristic of the citizenry of Northwest 
Indiana.

                          ____________________