IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 783 

Recognizing the 30th anniversary of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.’s 1984 

presidential campaign and honoring his heroism and extraordinary service 

to the United States and the international community. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 12, 2014 

Ms. WILSON of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 30th anniversary of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.’s 1984 presidential campaign and honoring his 

heroism and extraordinary service to the United States 

and the international community. 

Whereas the 30th anniversary of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign was celebrated at the Rainbow PUSH 

Coalition’s Legacy Affair Gala during the Annual Symposium, ‘‘The Future of Civil Rights: Moving Towards 

First Class Economic, Political, and Digital Citizenship’’; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson announced his historic campaign 

for President of the United States on November 3, 1983; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s campaign united people in the 

United States of all backgrounds and changed the face 

of United States politics; 


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•HRES 783 IH 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s landmark run resulted in 

record registration and turnout among African-American 

voters, shifted the balance of power in the United States 

Senate, increased the number of African-Americans serving in Congress, and helped to elect the first AfricanAmericans as Mayor of New York City and Governor of 

Virginia; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential 

campaigns paved the way for the first African-American 

President of the United States, President Barack Obama; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson was born on October 8, 1941, 

in Greenville, South Carolina; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson was a prized student at the racially segregated Sterling High School, where he was 

elected student class president, finished 10th in his graduating class, and earned letters in baseball, football, and 

basketball; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson graduated with a Bachelor of 

Science degree in Sociology in 1964 from North Carolina 

Agricultural and Technical State University, where he 

was elected student body president and became an active 

leader in protesting the segregation policies of Greensboro, North Carolina’s, public facilities; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson also earned a Master of Divinity 

degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary and over 

40 honorary doctorate degrees for his lifelong work on 

civil and human rights; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson married his college sweetheart 

Jacqueline Lavinia Brown in 1963 and they have five 

children: Santita Jackson, Congressman Jesse L. JackVerDate Sep 11 2014 19:44 Dec 16, 2014 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR783.IH HR783

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•HRES 783 IH 

son, Jr., Jonathan Luther Jackson, Yusef DuBois Jackson, Esq., and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s leadership during the civil 

rights movement, including his role in the 1965 Selma to 

Montgomery marches, were critical to the movement’s 

success and earned him commendations from fellow leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson led Operation Breadbasket and 

the Poor People’s Campaign, organizations that tore 

down discriminatory economic barriers and empowered 

the Nation’s poor and dispossessed; 

Whereas in 1996, Rev. Jesse Jackson launched the renowned 

Rainbow PUSH Coalition in pursuit of equal rights for 

all people in the United States by merging two of his civil 

rights organization, Operation PUSH and the National 

Rainbow Coalition; 

Whereas from 1991 to 1997, Rev. Jesse Jackson served as 

a shadow United States Senator for the District of Columbia; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s extraordinary acts of heroism 

include facilitating the release of captured United States 

soldiers in Yugoslavia, imprisoned Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman in Syria, 48 Cuban and United States prisoners in Cuba, and United States soldiers held hostage 

in Kosovo; 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson has served as a spiritual advisor 

to President Bill Clinton and completed numerous diplomatic missions as a special United States envoy; 

Whereas in 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Rev. Jesse 

Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s 

highest civilian honor; 


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Whereas through the Rainbow Push Coalition, Rev. Jesse 

Jackson continues to be a drum major for justice and 

equality, having advocated for universal health care, direct peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, 

ending apartheid in South Africa, and advancing democracy in Haiti; and 

Whereas Rev. Jesse Jackson’s work in the civil rights movement, diplomatic achievements, inspirational 1984 presidential campaign, and tireless advocacy for the downtrodden continues to inspire countless people in the 

United States and people from around the world: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the 30th anniversary of Reverend 

3 Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.’s 1984 presidential campaign; 

4 (2) recognizes and commends Rev. Jesse L. 

5 Jackson, Sr., for his invaluable service to the Na6 tion, efforts to empower disenfranchised people in 

7 the United States, and work to protect civil and 

8 human rights; and 

9 (3) encourages people in the United States to 

10 join the House of Representatives in honoring Rev. 

11 Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and celebrating his enduring 

12 transformative contributions to the Nation and the 

13 world. 

Æ 


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