[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING JESSE JACKSON

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on a completely unrelated topic, the year 
was 1969. I had just graduated from law school. I was working for the 
Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, a man named Paul Simon. 
He sent me on a mission. He wanted me to go to my hometown--East St. 
Louis, IL--and then to Cairo, IL. Both communities were in desperate 
need of help.
  The reason he asked me to go at that time was the fact that the 
Reverend Jesse Jackson, in 1969, was launching Operation Breadbasket. 
He was shining a light on the ravages of poverty and the failure of the 
government to protect those in need.
  He went through these two communities to listen to the desperate, the 
damned, and the disinherited. Even then, Reverend Jackson exuded a 
warmth that could put even the most anxious person at ease. He spoke 
with eloquence that would stir a person's heart--always did.
  As he continued his fight against poverty and injustice, Reverend 
Jackson became one of the founding voices of the civil rights movement 
in America. He inspired countless politicians, activists, and preachers 
to fight for the dignity in every person.
  In his life, Reverend Jackson contributed to the benefit of so many 
people. He will continue to be a symbol of hope, endurance, and 
equality long after his death. I extend my sympathies to his wife, his 
family, his friends, and followers.
  His Operation PUSH on the South Side of Chicago is a legendary venue. 
Everybody who is anybody in politics makes a stop there. Jesse Jackson 
for years--for decades--managed to be a leader in our community through 
Operation PUSH.
  I am going to miss him. We had speed dial on one another's phones, 
and he wouldn't hesitate to call me with advice on a regular basis. 
Sometimes, I even took it, but I was always glad to hear it because it 
was always heartfelt and always focused on helping the little guy. That 
was his life, and he lived it so valuably.

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