[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 168 (Wednesday, October 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF REVEREND GREG JACKSON

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                          HON. JOSH GOTTHEIMER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2019

  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
retirement of my good friend, and a great leader in New Jersey, Pastor 
Greg Jackson. For the last thirty-five years, after growing up in South 
Carolina, Reverend Jackson has shared his warmth, integrity, and 
compassion with our blessed community in Hackensack, New Jersey.
  Reverend Jackson is the longest-serving pastor of Mount Olive Baptist 
Church in the congregation's remarkable 130 years. Under the Pastor's 
leadership, Mount Olive has continued to flourish; it serves not only 
as a vibrant spiritual center, but also as a community dedicated to 
serving others, especially for those in need. Among other 
accomplishments, during his tenure, Mount Olive Church built the Logan 
Family Life Center, providing emergency assistance, social services and 
educational programs, and advancing the church's goal of serving 
humanity. Without question Mount Olive's success is reflective of the 
compassion and selflessness of its spiritual leader. We are truly lucky 
to have Reverend Jackson in North Jersey, and I am especially lucky to 
call him a friend. He has, more than once, invited me to speak from his 
pulpit. I have often joked that I spent more time praying with Pastor 
Jackson than my own Rabbi.
  Reverend Jackson's efforts to improve the lives of others extends 
beyond his work as pastor at Mount Olive. He founded the Interfaith 
Brotherhood and Sisterhood breakfast, has served on Hackensack City 
committees, and the Bergen County Council of Churches. Even in 
retirement, Reverend Jackson's service will endure as President of the 
Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Missions Convention.
  Over the course of his incredible career, Reverend Jackson has 
traveled across the world to preach, including in South Africa, China, 
India, Brazil, Cuba, and right here on the floor of the House of 
Representatives, where he offered the opening prayer as the Guest 
Chaplain. He has also welcomed transformational leaders to his church, 
including John Lewis and so many other civil rights leaders. I only 
wish my colleagues had the opportunity to experience the passion, 
smarts, warmth, wisdom, and conviction of Reverend Jackson for 
themselves.
  I am proud to recognize Reverend Jackson on his remarkable career and 
wish him many years of happiness alongside his wife Barbara and their 
children, Michael, Monique and Aashon, and their grandchildren Jorden, 
Kennedy and Madison. In the years to come, I know he will remain a 
pillar of our community.

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