[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1841]]



                       TRIBUTE TO LONNIE JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2006

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man 
who led many causes on prominent issues in Columbus, GA. At the age of 
77, Mr. Lonnie Jackson died from stomach cancer. He served his 
community and his country throughout his entire life, all the while, 
blazing new trails for those who would follow him.
  Born in Talladega, Alabama in 1929, Mr. Jackson came into the world 
the same year as the great Dr. Martin Luther King. The son of a road 
worker and a domestic worker, Jackson knew nothing but hard work. His 
parents instilled in him the notion that to accomplish anything you had 
to work for it. And that he did. Even at an early age, Jackson deemed 
it necessary to get involved in the issues of the community. He stated, 
``We were trained to be a good citizen.''
  In 1946 Mr. Jackson, with patriotism at the forefront, entered the 
army after finishing the tenth grade, and later went on to earn his GED 
in the military. He served overseas in the Korean War and remained in 
the service until completion of his two tours in Vietnam in 1972. He 
credits the army for teaching him leadership, discipline, and 
patriotism. After retirement, he began a successful civilian career 
working at Dolly Madison and Swift Textiles. Twenty years after leaving 
the Army, he earned an associate's degree from Chattahoochee Valley 
Community College, and later a bachelor's degree in criminal justice 
from Troy University.
  Whether education issues, litter control, voting rights, civil 
rights, or supporting the military, Jackson was always the front-runner 
when it came to championing these important issues. For example, while 
still in the military, he noticed a problem with litter and organized 
various clean-ups as early as 1961. Voting was another campaign that he 
held close to his heart. ``Voting is important,'' he said. ``It's the 
best way to let your voice be heard. And, despite what some might say, 
it does make a difference.'' Although environmental issues and voting 
were very important to Lonnie Jackson, nothing compared to his passion 
for education. He was also responsible for organizing a tutorial 
program which has helped more than 23,000 children and is stilI 
counting. The tutoring sessions are designed to help students keep pace 
with their classes. Countless students who went through the program 
went on to make better grades in school and higher scores on 
standardized tests.
  Mr. Lonnie Jackson leaves behind his daughter Lonya Jackson-Sardenas 
and her son Devarious Jackson, as well as his half-brother, Turner 
Jackson and his wife of two years, Betty Jackson. When asked what 
lessons she learned from her father, Lonya replied, ``Always care for 
others, always follow your dreams, and if something needs to be done, 
don't sit back and wait for others. Go and do it.''
  Today, we thank and honor the late Mr. Lonnie Jackson for his 
dedication and lifelong commitment to the welfare of others and his 
community. His lifetime of altruistic care-giving has made him a legend 
in our community and an inspirational figure for us all.

                          ____________________