House Resolution 97

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERAN, MR. L.C. JACKSON, ON THE OUTSTANDING OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, on March 8, 1923, the world was blessed with the birth of Mr. L.C. Jackson, and a century later, upon the auspicious occasion of his 100th birthday, we celebrate his life and legacy of incredible service to the United States of America in World War II; and

WHEREAS, born to Mr. George and Mrs. Caroline Jackson, in Minter City, Mississippi, Mr. Jackson was the fourth child born of seven children, and he attended school in Glendora, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in 1942, Mr. Jackson enlisted in the United States Army, serving during a time when the military was still segregated, and he completed basic training in Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, as a truck driver, and afterwards he was sent overseas to the Philippines, and then to Okinawa, Japan; and

WHEREAS, for his exceptional service, Mr. Jackson received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, Army of Occupation Ribbon, Japan Victory Ribbon, two Overseas Service Bars, a Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal, and he was honorably discharged at Fort Sam, Houston, Texas, on November 25, 1946, and returned to Glendora, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson then moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he met Bernice, and the couple were blessed with three children, and he was employed with Greyhound Bus for two years, and was also employed for 31 years with the U.S. Postal Service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson then moved to Brookhaven, Mississippi, and was employed for two years at the Brookhaven Sanitation Department, and he met Maxine in 1977, and they exchanged the vows of holy matrimony in 1980; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to his faith, Mr. Jackson is a Deacon at Hopewell Baptist Church in Brookhaven, and he will celebrate his 100th birthday with his children, Ruben Jackson, Caroline Jackson and Bobby Dixon; and

WHEREAS, conveying the totality of Mr. Jackson's life experiences and legacy requires more words than imaginable, as his life encompasses 17 United States presidents, the Wall Street crashing in 1929, the 1930s Dust Bowl, World War II, Jackie Robinson and the integration of professional baseball, the Korean War, the Civil Rights Movement, the assassination of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., America's 200th birthday, the first African-American president, and many other historical events; and

WHEREAS, at the time when the world would ask ordinary men to do extraordinary things, Mr. Jackson selflessly answered the call of duty as a member of the Greatest Generation, and he is certainly a true American hero, and the State of Mississippi honors him for his sacrifice and is grateful for his service; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor remarkable Mississippi heroes, especially those such as Mr. Jackson, who has witnessed a century of historic events and has his own 100-year tale of a life well lived, and who serves as an inspiration to all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and honor Mr. L.C. Jackson upon the outstanding occasion of his 100th birthday, as he proudly accepts his newfound membership and induction into the Centenarian Club, and express our most sincere wishes for continued health, joy, peace and prosperity for years to come.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. L.C. Jackson, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.