JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Representative Ray Reed (D–St. Louis) today issued the following statement honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who passed away this week.
“Today, we pause to honor the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson, a moral giant of our time, a son of Greenville, South Carolina, and a drum major for justice who bent the arc of history just a little closer toward justice.
For more than half a century, Reverend Jackson stood on the front lines of the American conscience. From marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement to founding Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he never stopped insisting that America live up to its highest ideals. He believed fiercely and unapologetically that our democracy is strongest when it includes everyone: Black and white, Latino and Asian, Native and newcomer, working families and those too often left behind.
In 1984 and again in 1988, when he sought the presidency of the United States, Reverend Jackson did more than run a campaign. He expanded the electorate. He inspired young people, working-class Americans, and communities of color to believe that their voices mattered. He built what he called a “Rainbow Coalition” not just a political strategy, but a moral vision rooted in dignity, fairness, and opportunity.
As a young Black man serving in public office, I know that my generation stands on the shoulders of leaders like Reverend Jackson. His courage created space. His faith sustained movements. And his refusal to accept injustice as inevitable helped open doors that once seemed permanently shut.
But Reverend Jackson’s legacy is not confined to the past. It lives on in every young organizer who believes their voice can make a difference. It lives on in every voter who shows up despite long odds. It lives on in every movement that dares to imagine a more just and inclusive America.
At this moment of loss, we extend our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and to all who were touched by his ministry and leadership. As we reflect on his extraordinary life, may we recommit ourselves to the unfinished work he so faithfully carried forward building a country where justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
May he rest in power.”
Representative Ray Reed proudly serves as the State Representative for Missouri’s 83rd House District, which includes vibrant communities across the St. Louis region, including Brentwood, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Shrewsbury, and portions of Affton. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2024. For more information, please contact Rep. Reed’s office at 573-751-2883 or via email at Ray.Reed@House.Mo.Gov.