South Suburban Mayors, Elected Officials Endorse Congressman Jackson for U.S. Senate

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Left photo: (Pictured left to right): Interim Mayor Andre Ashmore (Matteson); Mayor Al McCowan (University Park); Mayor Rick Reinbold (Richton Park); and Mayor Dwight Welch (Country Club Hills) along with Hazel Crest Mayor Robert Donaldson (right photo) said Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (center photo) would be a great choice for U.S. Senate because he mirrors the image and reflects the agenda of President-elect Barack Obama.
Left photo: (Pictured left to right): Interim Mayor Andre Ashmore (Matteson); Mayor Al McCowan (University Park); Mayor Rick Reinbold (Richton Park); and Mayor Dwight Welch (Country Club Hills) along with Hazel Crest Mayor Robert Donaldson (right photo) said Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (center photo) would be a great choice for U.S. Senate because he mirrors the image and reflects the agenda of President-elect Barack Obama.

by Lesley R. Chinn

While Gov. Rod Blagojevich is stillmaking up his mind about whom toselect to succeed Barack Obama in theU.S. Senate, a group of South suburbanmayors and other elected officialscame together to endorseCongressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr.(2nd District) to take the seat.

At a press conference last Saturdayin Country Club Hills, the grouphoped to send a message to theGovernor about why they think theCongressman should be selected.Were here to influence the decisionprocess by saying that we believe wehave a superior candidate from thiscongressional district that could representthe entire state of Illinois, saidCountry Club Hills Mayor DwightWelch.

Hell be a wonderful spokesman forIllinois, Welch continued. Hellhelp get the economic stimulus goingfor our state, he said. Theres noquestion. Hes very electable.

If Congressman Jackson is appointed,hell have to serve out the remainderof Obamas term which ends in 2010.At that time, whoever is selected,would have to campaign for the officein order to retain the seat.

Hazel Crest Mayor Robert Donaldsonadded that Jacksons agenda mirrorsPresident-elect Obamas. He[Jackson] has the same attitude andrespect for President Obama,Donaldson stated.

South Chicago Heights Mayor DavidOwen described the Congressman asyoung, vibrant, and energetic, whileRichton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold added that Jackson has only missedtwo votes during his entire seven-yeartenure. He expressed confidence inhis ability to serve the Southland wellin the Senate. It would be a greatasset for the people of Illinois, hesaid.

As a member of the HouseAppropriations committee, OlympiaFields Mayor Lindsey Fields saidJackson has brought home more than$600 million in various projectsstatewide that have gone towardsinfrastructure projects; colleges anduniversities; housing and health careprograms; and police and firefightergrants. He will hit the ground runningin the Senate and we know thathe will be a great leader in supportingthe initiatives of our president bothdomestically and internationally,Fields stated.

While East Hazel Crest representsthe smallest South suburb, it is part ofa diverse 2nd Congressional Districtthat includes the Far South side ofChicago and South suburban CookCounty in addition to portions of WillCounty. Congressman Jackson doesnot just work with Democrats, heworks with Republicans,Independents, business, labor, old,young, city and suburbs. He representsand works for a very diversecommunity and we expect that workwill continue as he represents the Stateof Illinois, stated East Hazel CrestMayor Thomas Brown.

Rich Township Committeeman TimBradford spoke on behalf of state Rep.Al Riley (D-38) who could not be inattendance. In a released statement,Riley said, Congressman Jackson hasbeen one of the most effective membersof the Illinois Congressional delegationsince his election in 1995. Hiseffectiveness has been made manifestby his commitment to local andregional economic development,human capital enhancement and equityin all modes of transportation.There are very few people who couldtravel the length and breadth of thisstate, espousing issues of public policythat are germane to each region,he said.

South Holland Mayor Don De Graff,who also issued a statement in supportof Congressman Jackson, added, Ihave been privileged to work closelywith Congressman Jackson on manyregional initiatives. He has been amodel legislator and a tireless championfor his diverse district, as well asfor our state as a whole. His support ofregional initiatives such as the thirdairport and the Southeast Metra linewill benefit not only his constituents,but all of Illinois, he said.

When asked about news reports ofthe Governor possibly appointinghimself to the U.S. Senate seat, thegroup had no comment and reiteratedsupport for Jackson. In response toquestions about what could possiblyhappen to the Congressmans seat ifhe is appointed, Welch and UniversityPark Mayor Al McCowan said that itsunknown as to who would take theCongressmans seat, however, theyadded that the Governor would probablygo through the same process interms of appointing someone toreplace Jackson.

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