Welch Leads House Floor Memorial for Rev. Jesse Jackson
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch honored the life and work of Rev. Jesse Jackson on the House Floor Tuesday, hours after news of the Civil Rights icon’s passing that morning.
“It is entirely fitting that we honor Jesse Jackson’s life and legacy during Black History Month, because through a ministry and a mission that spanned seven decades of service, Jesse Jackson wrote a monumental chapter in Black history—and showed how Illinois history, American history, and world history are built by Black history,” Welch said. “We were all so blessed to have had this legendary figure with us in Illinois—to be able to know and engage with someone who was a legend in his own lifetime and whose life and work has been a bridge from our history to our future. And as we mourn his loss, we are simultaneously empowered by his legacy of showing people their great power, and we are all motivated to march forward in his footsteps.”
While honoring on the impact of Rev. Jackson’s work across the globe, Welch also recalled his special impact on Illinois and its leaders. Rev. Jackson spoke with Welch’s Proviso Township School District 209 Board in 2007 about the power of organizing and voter participation. Shortly after Welch was elected Speaker in 2021, Rev. Jackson joined him for lunch in his suburban district, and Rev. Jackson would continue to offer Welch thoughts on policy, advice on serving as a prominent Black leader in the public eye, and spiritual support.
Welch and House Democrats passed House Resolution 671 in honor of Rev. Jackson.
