HR1518 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1518 LRB099 24150 MST 51833 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor our colleague, State Representative Eddie Lee Jackson Sr., on his service to the State of Illinois and the people of the 114th Representative District; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jackson, an East St. Louis resident, is a consummate educator, humanitarian, and public servant who has been committed to solving problems that inhibit the growth and stability of the State and the Metro East region; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jackson received his bachelor's degree in education and his master's degree in city planning from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, Family has always been the focus of Representative Jackson's life; together, he and his devoted wife, Pearlie Lee Jackson, instilled in their son and daughter, Eddie Jackson Jr., and Emeka Jackson-Hicks, and their grandchildren strong values and the importance of a sound education; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jackson served as a teacher at East St. Louis Senior High School in District #189, principal at Clark Junior High School, and principal of A.M. Jackson Math and Science Academy; as an educator, he impressed upon students the importance of education, striving every day to succeed and reaching the highest possible level of achievement; and

WHEREAS, During Representative Jackson's tenure as principal of the A.M. Jackson Math and Science Academy, the school's gifted program was the pride of the community and received recognition throughout the State for its performance and the techniques and talents exhibited by students; and

WHEREAS, Assessing problems and finding solutions motivated Representative Jackson to get more involved in public service; following his retirement from the school district, and the death of State Representative Wyvetter H. Younge, he was called into service and appointed to the House of Representatives in January of 2009; he worked to earn the support and confidence of constituents every day; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jackson has served the 114th Representative District with integrity and dedication; his background in education as a teacher and administrator filled him with compassion; he worked to stay in touch with the needs of local residents; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jackson is a member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where he is a member of the Sunday School Ministry; he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Masons, and a former member of the East St. Louis City Council; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jackson has been recognized for his service through awards, including the Illinois Downstate Caucus Advocate for Community Service Award, the 2013 Golden Bridge Award for Excellence in Government, and the 2014 Men of Valor Salute to Excellence Award; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor State Representative Eddie Lee Jackson Sr. for his dedicated service as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Representative Jackson as an expression of our respect, esteem, and best wishes.