Congressional Black Caucus Reaffirms and Honors the Enduring Legacy of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2026
Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), First Vice Chair Troy Carter (LA-02), and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:
As the nation continues to reflect on the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., the Congressional Black Caucus reaffirms our deep gratitude for his extraordinary contributions to American democracy and global human rights. His impact cannot be confined to a single moment of remembrance; it demands continued recognition and renewed commitment to the ideals he advanced.
For more than half a century, Reverend Jackson stood on the front lines of the movement for justice, equality, and human dignity. From marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement to building institutions that empowered millions, his life’s work helped move our nation closer to its founding ideals.
Through his courage, his voice, and his unwavering faith, Reverend Jackson earned a place of honor not only in history but in the hearts and minds of tens of millions of people around the world. People of every race, creed, color, faith, culture, and background found inspiration in his message that dignity belongs to us all. He spoke to the poor and the powerful, to the young and the elderly, to those in small towns and those in the largest cities. His life reminded us that justice is not reserved for some but must belong to everyone.
Reverend Jackson helped organize the Poor People’s Campaign and was present during some of the most defining moments of the civil rights era. After Dr. King’s assassination, he carried the work forward with determination, ensuring that the movement did not end but continued to grow.
Through the founding of Operation PUSH and later the Rainbow Coalition, he built one of the most influential social justice movements in modern American history. These efforts expanded economic opportunity, fought for fair employment, strengthened access to education, and gave voice to communities too often unheard.
He registered and mobilized millions of voters, helping reshape American democracy by expanding participation in the political process. His historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 broke barriers, inspired new generations of leaders, and brought millions of Americans into civic life who had never before felt seen or represented.
Reverend Jackson also carried the cause of justice beyond our borders. He helped secure the release of American hostages abroad, advocated for peace in areas of conflict, fought against apartheid in South Africa, and stood in solidarity with oppressed people across the globe. His voice for human rights was heard around the world.
At home, he championed workers, farmers, students, veterans, and families striving for opportunity. He stood with sanitation workers demanding dignity, defended family farmers facing foreclosure, advocated for greater access to education, and called for economic fairness long before those conversations reached the national stage.
His message was clear and enduring: every person matters, every voice counts, and our nation is strongest when we lift those who have too often been left behind.
“Keep Hope Alive” was not simply a phrase. It became a moral call that inspired generations to believe that progress is possible when people stand together.
Many of us serving in Congress today walk paths that Reverend Jackson helped clear. He challenged America to live up to its highest ideals, pushed leaders to act with courage, and reminded the nation that democracy works best when it works for everyone.
The Congressional Black Caucus honors his extraordinary contributions to this nation and to humanity. His life stands as a testament to faith in action, courage in the face of adversity, and an unshakable belief in the power of people coming together to build a more just society.
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., made America better. He made the world better. And his legacy will continue to guide generations yet to come.
January 7, 2026
Speaker Don Scott Announces Delegate Rodney Willett as Next Chair of House Health and Human Services Committee
Courtesy, Speaker Don Scott’s Communications Office
RICHMOND, VA – Speaker of the House Don Scott today announced that Delegate Rodney Willett will serve as the next Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, succeeding Delegate Mark Sickles, who has been appointed Secretary of Finance.
“Delegate Willett brings deep subject-matter expertise and a steady, practical approach to the work of the Health and Human Services Committee,” said Speaker Don Scott. “His proven leadership has already helped improve health care outcomes, and with him at the helm, the committee will continue advancing accessible, affordable care for Virginians.”
“I’m grateful to Speaker Scott for the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee,” said Delegate Rodney Willett. “At a time when these issues are more critical than ever, I look forward to working with my colleagues to address Virginians’ health care, behavioral health, and human services needs across the Commonwealth.”
Delegate Willett will assume leadership of the Health and Human Services Committee, which oversees legislation related to health care delivery, behavioral health, social services, and public health programs. Willett previously served as Chair of the House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care, where he led bipartisan work focused on access to care, workforce shortages, and health outcomes in underserved communities, and currently chairs the Joint Commission on Health Care and the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority.
News from Del. Jeion A. Ward, House of Delegates, 87th District
Barbara Rose Johns statue replacing Robert E. Lee on Dec. 16!
In 2020, it was my great honor to carry House Bill 1406, which mandated the replacement of Robert E. Lee’s likeness as one of the two statues representing Virginia in the capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
We established a commission to select a more suitable Virginian to honor, and we selected Barbara Rose Johns, the brave student who, in 1951, at the tender age of 16, led a student walk out of Robert Russa Moton High School to protest unequal education facilities. It was a courageous act that helped pave the way for Brown v. Board of Education and the desegregation of Southern schools.
Our commission then selected sculptor Steven Weitzman. After some pandemic delay, the new statue will be unveiled in DC on December 16th at 3PM! The occasion will be streamed live on the Speaker of the House webpage: https://www.youtube.com/@SpeakerJohnson/streams
You can read the story and watch a video by the artist by clicking HERE.
HAMPTON’S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
Mayor applauds growth in higher education and local schools
On December 3, Hampton Mayor Jimmy Gray delivered his first State of the City address, and it was heartening to hear all of the positive trends that continue in our city. Our schools continue to be some of the most innovative and high performing in the commonwealth, with a K-12 on-time graduation rate of 97.5% and a drop out rate of under 1%! Our Associates Degree and Apprenticeship programs continue to make young Hamptonians some of the best prepared students in Virginia. We are once again an “All American City” honoree, and we continue to attract businesses and residents with our community, resources, and policies. The mayor also talked about efforts to curb increasing housing costs, including a decrease in property taxes and increased construction incentives.
New Legislative Assistant Ben Kopit is no stranger to political campaigns
Advocacy and community service are his superpowers
It is my pleasure to introduce a new member of Team Ward, which I believe will greatly enhance our efforts and initiatives. Ben Kopit joins our team as our new legislative assistant, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a dedicated passion for advocacy and community service. As you know, I am a strong supporter of working people and their unions, so Ben will fit in nicely with our values and mission. Ben’s first job in politics was actually a strike job, showcasing his commitment to standing up for those who work hard and deserve fair treatment.
He is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America, West and IBEW Local 666, which demonstrates his long-standing dedication to labor rights and community engagement. Throughout his career, he has worked on multiple political campaigns, gaining invaluable experience that will undoubtedly benefit our team. He comes directly from our local Democratic Committee, where he served as secretary, and was instrumental in organizing vital efforts to support our community.
Finally: Please watch for regular emails from Ben or from me, Delegate Ward. It is not SPAM; these emails are essential updates that you will not want to miss. We are excited to have Ben on board and confident that his contributions will lead to positive changes for all of us.
Happy Holidays!
Jeion A. Ward, Delegate
Eighty-Seventh House District
Virginia General Assembly
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SENATOR!
Aaron Rouse to Celebrate 42nd Birthday At The Hippodrome
NEWS FROM THE CBC’S CHAIR YVETTE D. CLARKE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
On Dec. 4, 2025, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:
“Time and again, the Trump Administration has singled out Haiti with harmful and unjust policies. After spreading misinformation and using dehumanizing, racist rhetoric about Haitian communities, the Administration is now moving to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals on February 3, 2026. and immoral decision threatens to uproot the lives and security of more than 330,000 Haitians who have lived and worked legally in the United States under TPS protections.
“Across the country, Haitian families are now facing profound uncertainty and the terrifying prospect of being forced back to a nation struggling with severe shortages of food and clean water, unstable infrastructure, and escalating violence.
“At our best, America stands as a beacon of hope. We welcome and protect people fleeing humanitarian crises, political persecution, and economic hardship. Haitian TPS holders came here with faith in the American promise, and they have contributed immensely to the strength and vibrancy of our communities.
“The Trump Administration must immediately reverse this decision.”
BND Institute of Media & Culture 