Washington, Feb. 17 -- Representative Emanuel Cleaver issued the following press release:
Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Reverend Jesse Jackson.
"For decades, Reverend Jackson served as the head of Operation Breadbasket - a program of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and later founded his own organization in Chicago, Operation Push, which later became The Rainbow Coalition. Rev. Jesse Jackson stood at the forefront of the struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity. From the days of the Civil Rights Movement to his relentless advocacy for voting rights, economic opport...