Service Celebrates Milestones For Jackson

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The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson addresses the audience at Rainbow PUSH's Saturday Morning Forum on July 16. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson addresses the audience at Rainbow PUSH's Saturday Morning Forum on July 16. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

by Thelma Sardin

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC) honored The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. during its weekly Saturday Morning forum on July 16. Rev. Jackson, the coalitions founder and president, celebrates two significant milestones in his Civil Rights career this week; the 27th anniversary of his 1984 Democratic National Convention address and the 51st anniversary of his first arrest in Greenville, South Carolina.

On July 17, 1960, Rev. Jackson was arrested with seven classmates after they attempted to integrate a public library in South Carolina. The efforts of the students proved to be successful. Two months later, the Greenville County Library opened its doors to all residents.

On July 18, 1984, the same year of his first U.S. Presidential run, Rev. Jackson delivered a powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention.

According to RPC, a group of scholars voted the speech the 12th most significant address of the 20th century. Many of the issues discussed in his speech are still pertinent today: putting Americans back to work, equal access to high quality public education, international peace and the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act.

The anniversary service was attended by many influential individuals including John Rogers, Jr. Chairman, CEO of Ariel Investments and Rev. Willie T. Barrow, RPC Chairperson Emeritus.

Gospel recording artist, Pastor Darius Brooks led the PUSH choir during several musical selections.

Marshette M. Turner, RPC National Director of Programs hosted the live television broadcast and thanked Rev. Jackson for his vision and leadership.

Introduced by The Rev. Stephen Thurston, New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Jackson delivered his weekly sermon.

Before Rev. Jackson approached the podium, Rev. Thurston called the Civil Rights activist a prophet.

Remembering the spirit of his 1984 speech which consisted of many of the issues that still plague the nation today, Rev. Jackson said, We have so much work to do.

The Civil Rights advocate gave his opinion on the nations current battle with raising the debt ceiling.

Rev. Jackson said he believes the contention surrounding the debate of raising the ceiling is centered on President Barack Obama.

I think its aimed at President Barack Obama and not about the debt itself.

At Citizen press time, the president and congressional leaders had not reached an agreement to raise the ceiling.

The president has been working for almost two weeks to increase the $14.3 trillion debt limit.

At this stage in the debt talks, both Democrats and Republicans are working on packages to present for consideration.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) submitted a plan that would allow the president to raise the debt limit. The plan allows the president raise the debt limit in three increments between now and the end of next year. The first would boost the debt limit by $700 billion and the next two by $900 billion each, as reported by CNN.

Another key Republican also has a proposal for raising the nations debt limit. At press time, House Speaker John Boehner had a scheduled vote for his cut, cap and balance plan. According to reports, the plan sets the stage for an increase on the debt limit by passage of a constitutional amendment to require the federal government to balance its books each year.

President Obama wanted to have a plan agreed upon by July 22 to present to Congress for approval.

If an agreement is not reached by Aug 2, it may result in another recession for the United States.

Jackson also mentioned that if the ceiling is raised, it will be the 75th time it has been raised since President John F. Kennedy.

Additionally, Rev. Jackson encouraged audience members to exercise their right to vote. [We have to] use our vote and protect our interest, he said.

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