[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
resignation from the House of Representatives:
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, November 21, 2012.
     Hon. John Boehner,
     Speaker of the House, The Capitol,
     Washington, DC.
       Mr. Speaker: In 1995 when I was first elected to the House 
     of Representatives I came to Washington with a singular 
     purpose--to serve the constituents of the Second District of 
     Illinois. During that time for seventeen years I have 
     traveled on a journey with the citizens of the Second 
     District of Illinois, and with their unwavering support we 
     have worked together to transform what was once an 
     underdeveloped and nearly forgotten South Side of Chicago.
       Along this journey we have accomplished much. We have built 
     new train stations, water towers, and emergency rooms. We 
     have brought affordable housing, community centers and 
     healthcare clinics to those who needed it most. In all, 
     nearly a billion dollars worth of infrastructure and 
     community improvement has been made on the South Side of 
     Chicago and thousands of new jobs have been created. We began 
     this journey by promising fresh water for the people of Ford 
     Heights and a new airport that would employ upon completion 
     300,000 people. Today the people of Ford Heights have fresh 
     water and sitting on the Governor's desk is a $400,000,000 
     proposal for an airport that will cost the taxpayers nothing 
     and only awaits the Governor's commitment to build it. And 
     while our journey to strengthen our communities and provide a 
     better future for our children will continue, I know that 
     together we have made the Second District of Illinois a 
     better place.
       For seventeen years I have given 100 percent of my time, 
     energy, and life to public service. However, over the past 
     several months, as my health has deteriorated, my ability to 
     serve the constituents of my district has continued to 
     diminish. Against the recommendations of my doctors, I had 
     hoped and tried to return to Washington and continue working 
     on the issues that matter most to the people of the Second 
     District. I know now that will not be possible.
       The constituents of the Second District deserve a full-time 
     legislator in Washington, something I cannot be for the 
     foreseeable future. My health issues and treatment regimen 
     have become incompatible with service in the House of 
     Representatives. Therefore, it is with great regret that I 
     hereby resign as a member of the United States House of 
     Representatives, effective today, in order to focus on 
     restoring my health.
       During this journey I have made my share of mistakes. I am 
     aware of the ongoing federal investigation into my activities 
     and I am doing my best to address the situation responsibly, 
     cooperate with the investigators, and accept responsibility 
     for my mistakes, for they are my mistakes and mine alone. 
     None of us is immune from our share of shortcomings or human 
     frailties and I pray that I will be remembered for what I did 
     right. It has been a profound honor to serve the constituents 
     of Illinois's Second Congressional District and I thank them 
     for their patience, words of support and prayers during what 
     has been, and what will continue to be a very trying time for 
     me and my family.
       I also thank my colleagues and staff for supporting me and 
     the citizens of my district over the past several months. I 
     am proud to have worked alongside each of them over these 
     many years. I know that our work and accomplishments will 
     have a lasting positive impact on our community and our 
     nation.
       With optimism and hope I look forward to the day when my 
     treatment is complete and my health improves. I will truly 
     miss serving as a Member of Congress and I will never be able 
     to fully express my gratitude to the people of Chicago, and 
     her Southland for granting me the opportunity to serve them 
     for 17 wonderful years.
           Sincerely,
                                               Jesse Jackson, Jr.,
     Member of Congress.
                                  ____

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, November 21, 2012.
     Governor Pat Quinn,
     James A. Thompson Building,
     Chicago, IL.
       Mr. Governor: In 1995 when I was first elected to the House 
     of Representatives I came to Washington with a singular 
     purpose--to serve the constituents of the Second District of 
     Illinois. During that time for seventeen years I have 
     traveled on a journey with the citizens of the Second 
     District of Illinois, and with their unwavering support we 
     have worked together to transform what was once an 
     underdeveloped and nearly forgotten South Side of Chicago.
       Along this journey we have accomplished much. We have built 
     new train stations, water towers, and emergency rooms. We 
     have brought affordable housing, community centers and 
     healthcare clinics to those who needed it most. In all, 
     nearly a billion dollars worth of infrastructure and 
     community improvement has been made on the South Side of 
     Chicago and thousands of new jobs have been created. We began 
     this journey by promising fresh water for the people of Ford 
     Heights and a new airport that would employ upon completion 
     300,000 people. Today the people of Ford Heights have fresh 
     water and sitting on the Governor's desk is a $400,000,000 
     proposal for an airport that will cost the taxpayers nothing 
     and only awaits the Governor's commitment to build it. And 
     while our journey to strengthen our communities and provide a 
     better future for our children will continue, I know that 
     together we have made the Second District of Illinois a 
     better place.
       For seventeen years I have given 100 percent of my time, 
     energy, and life to public service. However, over the past 
     several months, as my health has deteriorated, my ability to 
     serve the constituents of my district has continued to 
     diminish. Against the recommendations of my doctors, I had 
     hoped and tried to return to Washington and continue working 
     on the issues that matter most to the people of the Second 
     District. I know now that will not be possible.
       The constituents of the Second District deserve a full-time 
     legislator in Washington, something I cannot be for the 
     foreseeable future. My health issues and treatment regimen 
     have become incompatible with service in the House of 
     Representatives. Therefore, it is with great regret that I 
     hereby resign as a member of the United States House of 
     Representatives, effective today, in order to focus on 
     restoring my health.
       During this journey I have made my share of mistakes. I am 
     aware of the ongoing federal investigation into my activities 
     and I am doing my best to address the situation responsibly, 
     cooperate with the investigators, and accept responsibility 
     for my mistakes, for they are my mistakes and mine alone. 
     None of us is immune from our share of shortcomings or human 
     frailties and I pray that I will be remembered for what I did 
     right. It has been a profound honor to serve the constituents 
     of Illinois's Second Congressional District and I thank them 
     for their patience, words of support and prayers during what 
     has been, and what will continue to be a very trying time for 
     me and my family.
       I also thank my colleagues and staff for supporting me and 
     the citizens of my district over the past several months. I 
     am proud to have worked alongside each of them over these 
     many years. I know that our work and accomplishments will 
     have a lasting positive impact on our community and our 
     nation.
       With optimism and hope I look forward to the day when my 
     treatment is complete and my health improves. I will truly 
     miss serving as a Member of Congress and I will never be able 
     to fully express my gratitude to the people of Chicago, and 
     her Southland for granting me the opportunity to serve them 
     for 17 wonderful years.
           Sincerely,
                                               Jesse Jackson, Jr.,
     Member of Congress.

                          ____________________