[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 15 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E72]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 24, 2020

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Jesse L. 
Jackson, Sr. for his lifelong commitment to the betterment of society. 
His contributions to our community are worthy of commendation.
  As an undergraduate, Rev. Jackson became involved in the civil rights 
movement. In 1965, he went to Selma, Alabama to march with Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. and became a worker in King's Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference. On April 4, 1968, Jackson was in Memphis, 
Tennessee when the civil rights leader was assassinated and has been 
committed to furthering Dr. King's mission ever since. Today, Rev. 
Jackson has established his own legacy and continues to be one of 
America's foremost civil rights, religious, and political figures. He 
is a passionate activist committed to making the world a better place 
and has been hailed by many for his work in human and civil rights and 
non-violent social change. Rev. Jackson has received over forty 
honorary doctorate degrees and was awarded the Presidential Medal of 
Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 2000, to name a few of his 
numerous accolades.
  In 1971, Rev. Jackson founded Operation PUSH and later established 
the National Rainbow Coalition. In 1996, the two organizations merged 
to form Rainbow PUSH, a nonprofit organization dedicated to pursuing 
social justice, civil rights, and political activism. Over twenty years 
later, Rainbow PUSH continues to be a multi-racial, multi-issue, and 
progressive international organization committed to fighting for social 
change. With a mission to protect, defend, and gain civil rights by 
promoting economic and educational equality, Rainbow PUSH is a critical 
resource. The organization uplifts our community's most vulnerable, 
helping to employ the unemployed, educate children, provide healthcare, 
and promote peace and justice around the globe.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Rev. Jesse 
L. Jackson, Sr. His lifetime of dedicated service has made our world a 
better place and furthers the great legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. Like Dr. King, Rev. Jesse Jackson continues to inspire others to 
work toward freedom, social justice and equality.

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