Jesse L. Jackson Jr. to highlight King Celebration

COLUMBUS – U.S. Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. is the guest speaker for The Ohio State University’s 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at 7 p.m. on Thursday (1/15) in the main ballrooms of The Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

“Celebrating the Legacy; Social Justice for All” is the theme for the university’s 2004 observance. All events are free and open to the public.

Jackson, the son of civil rights activist and former democratic presidential candidate the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., will discuss King’s legacy and current political issues.

The younger Jackson represents the second congressional district in Illinois. In 1995, he became the 91st African American ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Jackson is currently serving his fifth term as a member of the 108th Congress.

He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; and the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs.

Jackson spearheaded the creation of the National Center on Minority Health and Heath Disparities at the National Institutes of Health in 2001.
Many minority health experts consider the action as the most important civil rights legislation since the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The complete list of Ohio State events honoring King follows.

Monday, Jan. 12
• Martin Luther King Jr. Blood Drive with the American Red Cross
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
Open to all faculty, staff and students.

Tuesday, Jan. 13
• Ohio State President and Provost’s Diversity Lecture Series
4 to 5 p.m.
The Ohio Union Main Lounge, 1739 N. High St.
Lee Jones, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Instruction, and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Florida State University will present “If Martin were here today, What would he say?”

Thursday, Jan. 15
• Ohio State 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
7 to 9 p.m.
The Ohio Union ballrooms, 1739 N. High St.
Guest speaker Jesse L. Jackson Jr.

Monday, Jan. 19
• Project Community Martin Luther King Jr. “Day of Service”
8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ohio State student volunteers will participate in community service projects at various agencies throughout the city of Columbus. Students may register at http://communityconnection.osu.edu

• Martin Luther King Jr. Student March and Rally
2 p.m.
Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.
Ohio State students will join students from Columbus State Community College in a symbolic march from the Ohio State campus to the city’s march and celebration in downtown Columbus.