[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15029]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


           A TRIBUTE IN RECOGNITION OF DR. EDISON O. JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Edison 
O. Jackson, the President of Medgar Evers College of the City 
University of New York and a foremost leader in higher education who is 
now retiring after twenty years with the College.
  Dr. Jackson was born in Heathsville, Virginia. He received a Bachelor 
of Science degree in Zoology, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling 
from Howard University, a Master of Divinity degree from New York 
Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Education from Rutgers 
University with an emphasis on the philosophy, function, role, and 
administration of urban educational institutions.
  After an impressive twenty years in higher education, Dr. Jackson was 
welcomed to Medgar Evers College as its 5th President. He quickly 
formulated and implemented a new vision for the College's future, 
spearheading the creation of the Freshman Year Program, increasing 
student retention, creating three new academic schools, and restoring 
the institution's senior college status in 1994.
  To increase the enrollment and academic success of African American 
males, Dr. Jackson established the nationally recognized Male 
Development and Empowerment Center to groom and guide men through their 
higher education career and to prepare them for the workforce. 
Consequently, Medgar Evers has increased its enrollment of African 
American men by 13 percent.
  Dr. Jackson has served and/or holds membership in a number of 
prominent civic, educational, and community organizations. He has also 
written on issues of concern to educators regarding minority students, 
including student retention and the role of spiritual leadership in 
higher education.
  Dr. Jackson has been honored for his decades of service and 
achievements from scores of elected officials, educational 
institutions, and community organizations.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Edison O. Jackson, a 
visionary leader and an inspiration to all of New York.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Dr. Edison O. Jackson.

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