[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REVEREND DR. FRANK JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
wonderful life of Reverend Dr. Frank Jackson. His vibrant spirit, 
limitless compassion and selfless commitment to service will be missed 
by all who knew him. Through his ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church 
of Oakland, Reverend Jackson brought our community to a greater 
understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the life of the Church. 
He was an exemplary husband, father, pastor, community leader, teacher 
and friend. With his passing on September 11, 2009, we look to Reverend 
Jackson's legacy and the joy his work inspired.
  After earning a bachelor's degree at San Francisco's Simpson College 
in 1972, Reverend Jackson pursued a Master of Divinity at Fuller 
Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Reverend Jackson also 
became the first African-American clergy member to graduate from the 
Master of Nonprofit Administration program at University of San 
Francisco when he earned his third degree there in 1991. Education and 
personal growth were immensely important values to Reverend Jackson. He 
truly used a lifetime of learning to inspire and teach others.
  In his early pastoral career, Reverend Jackson acted as Interim 
Pastor to rebuild and develop transitioning churches in the Los Angeles 
area. He focused his passion for providing youth leadership and family 
services as Associate Pastor for Menlo Park Presbyterian Church from 
1979 to 1983. Later that year, he joined Faith Presbyterian Church in 
Oakland, thus beginning 26 years of service to our community as Pastor 
and spiritual guide.
  Along with wife Jimmye Jackson, with whom he celebrated 41 years of 
marriage this month, and daughter Rachel Jackson, Reverend Jackson 
maintained a dynamic presence in Bay Area community organizing. He was 
instrumental in organizing numerous collaborations and events including 
Support for the Families of Homicide Victims, a Community Health Fair 
Event, Embrace Oakland Day and Faith Network of the East Bay.
  Reverend Jackson was passionate about encouraging collaboration 
between diverse groups. He utilized the clarity of his vision and the 
strength of his faith to unite people to work for shared goals. In 
1992, Reverend Jackson was a founding pastor of the African American & 
Korean American Fellowship of Churches, a coalition that sought to 
build better racial relationships between communities of color. He also 
established the Themus Spencer Learning Center at Faith Presbyterian 
Church in partnership with Emerson Elementary School to guide at-risk 
students to academic success.
  Deeply moved by the challenges of Katrina Relief in 2006, Reverend 
Jackson also helped organize a team of Oakland Pastors to raise relief 
funds during a citywide gathering at the Oakland Coliseum. Whether 
working with an interfaith coalition to rebuild burned black churches 
in Boligee, Alabama, or simply lending an ear to a friend in need--
Reverend Jackson always made time to help others.
  Additionally, he was a great lover of sports, earning his Black Belt 
in Korean Judo and serving as Chaplain for the Golden State Warriors 
Basketball Team and other pro- and college teams. In his later years, 
Reverend Jackson stayed active as trustee, co-chair or committee member 
for myriad organizations, even earning a Doctor of Ministry from 
McCormick Theological Seminary just last year.
  Pastor Jackson was a personal friend and source of inspiration to me. 
Often times he would leave a prayer on my voicemail and his words of 
encouragement always came, ``right on time.'' I will always remember 
the joy and excitement Reverend Jackson felt at the National Prayer 
Breakfast this year in Washington D.C., when along with Mrs. Jackson 
and Pastor and Mrs. Pinkard, he witnessed our President Barack Obama 
and First Lady participate in their first national prayer breakfast. 
This week, as I looked at the photos once again after learning of 
Reverend Jackson's untimely death, I was reminded of his kind and 
gentle spirit. His life was one lived in service to God.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors 
Reverend Frank Jackson. The contributions Reverend Jackson made to his 
community throughout his life are countless and precious. My thoughts 
and prayers are with his family and loved ones. Reverend Jackson will 
be deeply missed. May his soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________