A house RESOLUTION

 

TO WELCOME CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN L. JACKSON OF ILLINOIS TO SOUTH CAROLINA ON THE OCCASION OF SPARTANBURG'S THIRD ANNUAL DEMOCRACY FOR ALL BALL, WHICH HE WILL SERVE AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson of Illinois will serve as keynote speaker at the Third Annual Democracy for All Ball, to be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Spartanburg. Sponsored by the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, the event each year honors a leader from Upstate South Carolina with its Lifetime Achievement Award. As the son of the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., Congressman Jackson will accept the award on behalf of his father, to whom this year's award is being given posthumously; and

 

Whereas, Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson represents Illinois' First Congressional District. As the son of renowned civil rights leaders the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Jackson, he has inherited a deep commitment to advocating for underrepresented communities. Throughout his career, Congressman Jackson has been a staunch advocate for equity and civil rights; and

 

Whereas, his dedication to social justice is evident through his role as the national spokesman for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, where he spotlighted issues related to innocence and juvenile justice. Congressman Jackson played a pivotal role in addressing cases of false confessions by the Chicago Police Department, including those of Darrell Cannon, Oscar Walden, and Johnnie Lee Savory. He has been involved in several significant human rights and social justice initiatives, including negotiating with Syrian President Hafez-Al-Assad for the release of American Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman and with Fidel Castro for the release of twenty-two Americans held in Cuba; and

 

Whereas, a strong proponent of public education, Congressman Jackson has worked tirelessly to expand educational opportunities for families of all income levels. In Chicago, he actively opposed the closure of Chicago Public Schools by leading public hearings and providing civic education to protect community schools. His efforts were instrumental in keeping Guggenheim Elementary School off the closure list in 2010 and saving other schools from similar fates; and

 

Whereas, raised in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, Congressman Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in business from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business. He has launched various businesses in telecom, distribution, and construction and has taught finance and entrepreneurship at City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago State University; and

 

Whereas, in Congress, he is focused on advancing policies that promote equality and justice, improve access to quality education and healthcare, and protect the environment. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, working with his colleagues to pass impactful legislation for the people of Illinois' First Congressional District and the nation; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House sincerely wishes Congressman Jackson an enjoyable visit during his sojourn in the Palmetto State and extends to him a warm welcome as he speaks at the Third Annual Democracy for All Ball in Spartanburg. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, welcome Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson of Illinois to South Carolina on the occasion of Spartanburg's Third Annual Democracy for All Ball, which he will serve as keynote speaker.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson.

----XX----