[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF MERVA E. JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life and memory of Ms. Merva E. Jackson, who sadly passed away on April 
4, 2012.
  Few times in one's life do you come across a person with such great 
passion, grace, and expertise like Merva Jackson. Merva had an 
indelible impact on everyone she met, including me. I vividly remember 
a meeting I had with her and several of her colleagues in my Washington 
office in the spring of 2010. It was one of those inspiring meetings 
that you never forget. The excitement in the room and the commitment to 
change was palpable as we brainstormed ways to combat the pervasive 
school-to-prison-pipeline that entangles too many of our youth. We left 
the meeting energized and with a plan for a statewide conference to 
tackle ways to reform the system. Merva's passion ignited my own, and I 
remember feeling so lucky that the State of Connecticut had her to 
advocate on behalf of vulnerable youth. A few months later our vision 
became a reality when over 150 people from across the State--and the 
Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of 
Education--came together to listen to Merva and others discuss the 
critical issue of promoting dignity in schools. Of course, she provided 
invaluable insight and perspective that day, as she did every day.
  I am deeply saddened by the loss of Merva Jackson but feel so lucky 
to have known her. I last saw Merva in October at a juvenile justice 
event in Wethersfield, Connecticut. She was busy planning events for 
the future, to continue her work for justice and equal opportunity for 
all. I hold that memory near to me, and hope all who knew her find some 
comfort in reflecting on their own many loving memories of Merva and 
take pride in all that she did and all that she was.

                          ____________________