IL HR1423

Congratulates Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. on his 75th birthday on October 8, 2016, and recognizes his decades of civil rights activism and leadership.

Documents Jackson's founding of Operation PUSH in December 1971 and the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which merged in September 1996 to form Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Highlights Jackson's presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, which registered over 3 million and 2 million new voters respectively, and won significant primary contest victories.

Acknowledges Jackson's international diplomatic work, including securing the release of Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman from Syria in 1984, negotiating hostage releases in Kosovo in 1999, and serving as Special Envoy for Democracy in Africa from 1997.

Notes Jackson's advocacy for labor rights, universal healthcare, civil rights enforcement, education, and economic justice, along with his 40+ honorary doctorates and receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.