[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. ROBIN HOEFER JACKSON

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I wish to recognize Mrs. 
Robin H. Jackson a valued member of the Midlands community of South 
Carolina.
  Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Mrs. Jackson received her education 
in the Richland District One Public School System, graduated from Eau 
Claire High School, and later attended Benedict College. A 1975 
graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor of arts 
degree in vocal performance, she received her certification in music 
education from the University of South Carolina. Additionally, she 
holds a master of education degree from Cambridge College, Boston, 
Massachusetts, which she earned in 2001.
  Throughout her life, Mrs. Jackson has served her community doing what 
she loves best--teaching music to children. She served as music 
specialist at the South Carolina State Hospital before returning to 
Richland School District One to teach music education at various 
schools, including Lyon Street Elementary School, Fairwold Elementary 
School, Rosewood Elementary School, and the Olympia School. In May 
2008, Mrs. Jackson retired from teaching after 28 years at A.J. Lewis 
Greenview Elementary School.
  During Mrs. Jackson's term as an instructor of music at A.J. Lewis 
Greenview Elementary School, she received training from the 
Metropolitan Opera in New York City and became certified in creating an 
original opera for children. This opportunity allowed her to guide 
students in grades 4 and 5 in creating their own original opera, which 
consisted of composing their own music, writing their own lyrics, and 
building their own sets. Mrs. Jackson also led the students on 
educational tours of New York City, where they were exposed to various 
operas and Broadway shows. A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School was 
the only elementary school in Columbia to participate in this program.
  Mrs. Jackson's work in music education demonstrated her belief that 
every student should participate in some form of the arts. Thus, each 
grade level at the A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School was given an 
opportunity to perform in grade level performances. The first grade 
students presented a production of Maurice Sendak's Really Rosie; the 
second grade students performed in The Carnival of the Animals; the 
third grade students performed in The Nutcracker; the fourth grade 
students performed in Choices Count, which is a part of one of the 
Character Education initiatives of the Richland School District One; 
and the fifth grade students were given an opportunity to perform in 
their own original opera. Other school-wide productions included The 
Wiz and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.
  Mrs. Jackson not only involved her students in musicals, but she also 
provided guitar lessons to male students in grades 4 and 5 by way of 
the Guitar Club, which was geared towards the behavioral modification 
of the students. She also offered all students an opportunity to learn 
to play the tone chimes, the recorder, and the keyboard. She 
additionally led the school's chorus, who often performed in various 
musical productions.
  Mrs. Jackson's commitment to the intellectual and artistic 
development of children did not end upon her retirement form the A.J. 
Lewis Greenview Elementary School. She maintains her devotion as the 
owner of the Arts-In-Action Music Studio in West Columbia, where she 
offers piano and voice classes to youth. She is also music director for 
the Brookland Baptist Church Children's Choir where there are more than 
100+ voices ranging from ages 5 through 12.
  Mrs. Jackson's service to the community continues as president of the 
Interdenominational Alliance of Minister's wives and Minister's Widows, 
Inc. of Greater Columbia; a member of the Capital City Chorale of 
Columbia; a member of the Brookland Baptist First Sunday Ensemble; a 
member of the Beautification Committee for West Columbia; a member of 
the Capital City Club; a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority 
Incorporated; and director of music for the Women's Educational and 
Missionary Baptist Convention of South Carolina. She is also a speaker 
at various churches in the state of South Carolina for Women's Day and 
mission work.
  Mrs. Jackson is married to the Reverend Dr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., 
pastor of the Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia. She is the 
mother of Reverend Charles B. Jackson, Jr., pastor of the New Laurel 
Street Baptist Church of Columbia; mother-in-law to Mrs. Iva Gaymon 
Jackson; and mother of Attorney Candace Celeste Jackson of Columbia. 
Mrs. Jackson also holds dear in her heart her three grandchildren: 
Charles B. Jackson, III; Caleb A. Jackson; and Kayla Jackson.

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