[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. JOHNNY JACKSON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2018

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mr. 
Johnny Jackson, Jr., a former New Orleans city councilman, state 
representative and Ninth Ward community leader, who died on January 24, 
2018 at the age of 74.
  A New Orleans native, Mr. Jackson was a 1961 graduate of George 
Washington Carver High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from 
Southern University at New Orleans in 1965, and his master's degree in 
social work from Tulane University in 1980.
  In 1968, Mr. Jackson became director of the Desire Community Center 
and was its leader during the time of the 1970 standoff between New 
Orleans police and members of the Black Panther Party. He used the 
center to offer breakfast and tutoring programs for children.
  In 1971, Mr. Jackson was elected to the Louisiana state legislature, 
as only the body's third African-American member. He served in the 
state House of Representatives for 14 years from 1972 until 1986. Mr. 
Jackson became the New Orleans delegation's floor leader soon after his 
election and was a founding member of the state's Legislative Black 
Caucus. He also served as a delegate to the 1973 convention which 
rewrote the state constitution.
  Mr. Jackson was recruited to run for the state legislature by members 
of the Ninth Ward political organization Southern Organization of 
United Leadership, better known as SOUL. He was a member of the group 
and later a founding member of another political group, DAWN, which 
stood for Development Association for Wards and Neighborhoods.
  In 1985, Mr. Jackson and Ms. Delories P. Francois started the Desire 
Community Housing Corporation Staff Christmas Show and gift exchange 
for the neighborhood kids. Eventually, the program grew into a 
community event. The purpose of this program was to provide Christmas 
gifts for children in the Desire-Florida areas and was extended to the 
City of New Orleans. The program grew to provide bikes, computers, and 
toys to kids within the city.
  From 1986 until 1994, Mr. Jackson served as the District E 
representative on the New Orleans City Council, representing New 
Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward.
  Mr. Jackson was a former board member of Total Community Action, 
Inc., the New Orleans East Economic Development Foundation, Desire-
Florida Area Community Council, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage 
Foundation. He also chaired the ``Gospel is Alive'' program, and was 
former president of WWOZ public radio.
  Mr. Jackson became a member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, 
Inc., in the 1980's. He soon thereafter became an active fundraiser for 
the club, which earned him an appointment to the Zulu Board. After the 
death of former King, Mr. Fred Thomas, Mr. Jackson was appointed as 
captain of the Zulu Diamond Cutters, a position he held for almost 28 
years.
  Mr. Jackson, always having a heart for the community, with the help 
of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Inc. revived the Desire 
Carver Housing Corporation's original vision and formed the Zulu Toys 
for Tots Christmas Talent Show, which focused on raising money and 
collecting toys for underprivileged youth.
  Mr. Jackson loved the city and the people of New Orleans. His legacy 
will forever be a part of the city and his dedication to community 
embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made 
by Mr. Jackson, but surely we can try to match his sense of service. We 
cannot match his courage, but we can strive to match his devotion.
  Mr. Jackson's survivors include his wife, Mrs. Ara ``Jean'' Parker 
Jackson, his mother, Mrs. Josephine Jackson; two sons, Kevin Jackson of 
New Orleans and Johnny Jahi Jackson of Houston, Texas; four daughters, 
Kenyatta Jackson Morris of Dallas, Texas, Johnann Jackson of Tampa, 
Florida, and Jeanne Jackson and Samantha Spears, both of New Orleans; 
two brothers, Brandon Jackson, Sr. of New Orleans and Kevin Jackson of 
Slidell; two sisters, Cynthia Webster of Slidell and Cheryl Robinson of 
New Orleans; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Johnny Jackson, 
Jr

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