U.S. Congressman Speaks in Dolton
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. gave a fiery speech at the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois general assembly meeting in Dolton Jan. 30.
Several elected officials from the Southland were also present at the gathering including: State Rep. Will Davis (D-East Hazel Crest), Andr B. Ashmore, Village President of Matteson, Debbie Meyers-Martin, Village President of Olympia Fields.
Jackson, who is currently seeking re-election for his 2nd Congressional district seat, focused on the necessity of healthcare equality in America and economic development in Chicagos Southland.
Healthcare is a human right, Jackson told Consortium members. Even more I believe this human right should be put in the Constitution of the United States so that this can become an individual American right.
The congressman said that healthcare should no longer be the responsibility of the states but a national accountability.
Healthcare Consortium we can no longer wait for Springfield to provide everybody with healthcare, Jackson said. We can no longer wait for state legislatures in 50 states many of whom are broke to provide healthcare for every American.
Jackson added that if America can fund outer space projects, then it can fund to help citizens on American soil.
Any nation that can spend billions of dollars to put a man on the Moon ought to be able to spend billions of dollars to put a man and a woman on two feet right here in America, he said.
Jackson also presented a map of his congressional district. He explained that it is imperative that economic development come to Chicagos South Side and Southland region.
The City of Chicago has nowhere else to go, Jackson said. Its already touching Milwaukee. The City of Chicago and economic growth of the State of Illinois and for our region has got to come south. Its got to come south. Which means its our time.
The congressman also discussed how a third Chicagoland airport in Peotone would spur economic development in the area.
He said the proposed airport could bring an estimated 350,000 jobs and would over time be four times the size of Chicagos OHare Airport.
As a result, Southland residents would not have to travel far for employment. People would be able to practically ride their bikes to work, Jackson said.
The proposed airport would also become international over time. Jackson said international access in the Southland would require local high schools to hire teachers that educate students about global culture including more foreign languages.
Your congressman promises to bring you a global economy, not just a job. That means Kankakee High School and Thornton Fractional High School has to hire a Chinese teacher and up until this point youve not needed to hire one, Jackson said.
By Thelma Sardin
Twitter: @thelmasardin
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