Commissioner Jackson Challenges Lawrence County Youth

Below is a letter that appeared in Wednesday's Lawrence County Advocate that Commissioner Jackson wrote challenging Lawrence County's youth to become more involved in their communities:

My Challenge To You

Right now you are one of the hundreds of students from all over our county who are graduating from high school and entering the next chapter of life. Some of you will go to college. Some of you will go to technical school. Some of you will go straight into the workforce while some of you still find yourself undecided on exactly what you are going to do.

While the path that each of you choose may differ, each of you share a common concern over what you should do in your life. But my advice to you is simple: do something in your life that is greater than yourself.

Along the way many people will undoubtedly tell you to do something in life that makes a lot of money. While there is nothing wrong with that, I challenge you to do something different. Instead of solely focusing on accumulating money and material possessions, I urge you to step forward and be a leader in our community and to make a real difference in people's lives by offering your service.

Just like every other community in our nation, our county is struggling right now. Many people find themselves without a job and barely getting by. Many others lack the necessary health care they need to live healthy and productive lives. Our schools are overcrowded and deteriorating before our eyes. Crime continues to go up while our jail continues to stay overcrowded. These are just a few of the pressing problems we face in Lawrence County.

While government has a role in helping solve these big problems, it can't do it alone. These are issues that affect us all as a community. Therefore, in order to solve them, we have to address them as one people united in common cause. Put simply, it can't be done without our generation doing its part.

To be honest, I am often disappointed at the number of young people who are informed on the issues that confront our community as well as the number of young people who actually are willing to work towards bettering our community. This has to change if we are to move forward as a county. It is time we assume responsibility for ourselves and realize that the change we seek won’t happen unless we act.

From a young age, I have always taken great enjoyment and pride in helping others. That is why I ran for county commissioner and chose to serve in the local Lions Clubs. Even though elective office can be tough sometimes with the criticism that comes with the tough decisions that are made, I get no greater satisfaction than when I am able to help improve someone’s' life. The fulfillment of being able to help others far outweighs anything else. That is the message I want to pass on to members of my generation here in Lawrence County.

While public service is often hard work and in many cases doesn't pay as well as other fields, I can guarantee you that the benefits are many. Whereas money in today's society comes and goes, the brotherhood and goodwill that you establish by serving lasts a lifetime and will reward you tenfold.

You may be thinking to yourself that you are too young to make a difference. But you are not, just look at me. I got involved when I was 19 years old. Age is not the determining factor on the amount of good you can do within our community, determination is.

Getting involved and making a difference can be easy. One way to get involved is to join a local service club such as the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club or Rotary Club. Each club does great work within our community and always welcomes new faces and new ideas.

Another way you can make a difference in our community is by engaging in activities like volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, helping in after school activities in your area, becoming a tutor or mentor to children in need, helping take care of the sick at the hospital or nursing home or simply taking part in your church's community service programs.

Next, always let your voice be heard on the issues that face our community. Don't be afraid to talk to your elected representatives and let them know where you stand on the issues. Your input is valuable as it adds a fresh perspective to the formulation of public policy.

Finally, if you want to make a career out of serving the public you can become a policeman, firefighter, nurse, teacher, community organizer or a member of the military. All are among the most well respect professions in our society and well within your reach.

I love this county with all my heart as I know you do. But it is time for our generation to get serious about what's important. It is time we put down the X-Box and time we started offering a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in our community who are in need. It is time we stopped watching so much TV and time we started paying attention to the struggles in our community. It is time we act on behalf of our children and grandchildren and to make Lawrence County a great place for everyone to live for generations to come.

In the coming years of your life, there will be setbacks, that is guaranteed. Every person in our nation's history that has achieved great things in life has suffered setbacks. But it is how we react to those setbacks on how we will be judged. Don't ever give up and always keep your eye on the prize and your heart in the right place. It is our time to shine.

The future is in our hands. Let's make Lawrence County all it can be--together.

Congratulations and best of luck,

Chris D. Jackson
County Commissioner, District 2, Loretto

PS: Thank you to all of our veterans. Your service to our country is the best example anyone could ever set for our youth. God bless you all.

Tennessee Democratic Party Profiles Jackson

From the TNDP:

County Spotlight: Chris Jackson, Lawrence County

Chris D. Jackson (born 1986) and the adjective “youngest” often appear in the same sentence. He is a county commissioner in Lawrence County, elected in August 2006 at the age of 19. Jackson is the youngest person ever elected to public office in Lawrence County. And as the chair of the Lawrence County Democratic Party, Jackson is one of the youngest county chairs in the state.

Although young, Jackson has plenty of political experience. His political journey had begun seven years back, in the year 2002, where he volunteered for the Phil Bredesen’s gubernatorial campaign. Two years later he volunteered for the re-election campaign of Congressman Lincoln Davis and the Kerry presidential campaign. It was in that same year when Jackson was the chief campaign assistant to the Tennessee House candidate in his district.

During the 2006 U.S. Senate campaign in Tennessee, Jackson did online grassroots blogging in support of Congressman Harold Ford Jr. and his bid for the United States Senate and served as Ford’s campaign chairman in Lawrence County. Jackson was recognized by Ford in his concession speech on election night.

In 2005, Jackson was unanimously voted the Vice Chairman of the Lawrence County Democratic Party. Nearly a year after he was elected Vice Chairman, Jackson officially announced that he would seek the office of County Commissioner in the Second District of Lawrence County. The seat was being vacated by a retiring incumbent of over 30 years. On Election Day, Jackson received 401 votes, which was one of the highest amounts of any commissioner in the county. He is currently one of the youngest elected officials in the country.

Since taking office in September 2006, Jackson has been a leader on many of the big issues that face Lawrence County. He has made education a top priority. In 2008, Jackson was a vocal leader in the movement to remove harmful, mold-filled portable classrooms from the county. Upon taking office, Jackson became a leader in the effort that provided Lawrence County schools with over $1 million worth of new technology.

“Currently, our party has been entrusted with a majority of the elected positions in the county and there is a reason for that: our candidates put people first, produce results and reflect well on our great county,” Jackson says. “As Chairman of the party, I will make sure that tradition continues by always keeping in mind that we work for the people, not the other way around.”

“It is my hope that we can continue to work together in common cause no matter what our political affiliation is and move Lawrence County forward. That is what the people want and deserve.”

Jackson resides in Loretto where he has served two terms as vice president of the local Lions Club. He is currently a senior at the University of North Alabama where he is majoring in political science and government with a minor in criminal justice.

For more information, visit the homepage of the Lawrence County Democratic Party ^[1].

Jackson Elected Chairman of the Lawrence County Democratic Party

On May 7th the Lawrence County Democratic Party elected its new officers for the upcoming two years. County Commissioner Chris Jackson was elected Chairman, Chris Williams was elected Vice Chairman, County Commissioner Anne Brown was elected Secretary and Loucile Putman was elected Treasurer.

Newly elected Chairman Chris D. Jackson said, "Over the next two years, my goal as Chairman of the Democratic Party will be to put forth and support candidates and policies which have one goal in mind: making Lawrence County a better place to live for everyone. Currently, our party has been entrusted with a majority of the elected positions in the county and there is a reason for that: our candidates put people first, produce results and reflect well on our great county. As Chairman of the party, I will make sure that tradition continues by always keeping in mind that we work for the people, not the other way around."

"It is my hope that we can continue to work together in common cause no matter what our political affiliation is and move Lawrence County forward. That is what the people want and deserve."

Rep. Hensley and Pay Equity

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the local Business and Professional Women’s forum on equal pay.

While I did know that a gap in pay still existed between men and women in the United States, I had no idea to how large of an extent. The latest figures show that for every dollar a man makes, a woman only makes around .78 cents. Sadly, in the state of Tennessee it is even lower. This clearly shows that while we have made progress on equal rights, we still have a ways to go.

This is an issue that needs to be at the forefront of our leaders’ minds not only on the national level in Washington D.C. but also the state and local level.

While I was proud to see my friends the Mayor of Lawrenceburg and the County Executive in attendance as well as the City of Lawrenceburg’s first female police chief, I was disappointed that I did not see Represntative Joey Hensley in attendance.

Rep. Hensley is in a position of leadership in which he could make a real positive difference on this issue, but rather it seems he is content with the ugly facts of pay inequity.

While I was disappointed not to see Rep. Hensley at yesterday’s forum, I must say that I was not surprised as a few years back he VOTED AGAINST a bill in the House whose goal was to stop discrimination in the workplace and ensure pay equity.

In the year 2009, for a woman to only make a little over 75% of what a man makes is unacceptable. To have leaders who openly oppose legislation that looks to ensure equality is even worse. We can do better.

Donate To Help Secure Tennessee's Future!

Hey guys, I have officially set up my ActBlue page and am now able to accept donations for my exploratory committee for State House!

I hope you will considering making a donation to help secure Tennessee's future! Any amount is appreciated and will make a difference!

Thanks again,

Chris


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Jackson Forms Exploratory Committee

Fellow Tennesseans,

After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to officially form an exploratory committee for the upcoming state representative race in the 70th District.

Over the coming months, I plan to visit every part of the 70th District and listen to the concerns and problems that face everyday Lawrence, Lewis and Wayne countians.

Right now our great state and its people face problems unlike any other time in our lifetime. Whether it is an economy in disarray, the growing number of uninsured Tennesseans or the crumbling of our roads, bridges and schools--we have a lot of work ahead in the coming years.

In order to get our district and state back on track, we need a new voice in Nashville who will stand up and be a leader on the big issues that we face.

I can be that leader and if I do decide to run, there are several things I can promise you.

1) I will fight every single day for quality and affordable health care for all Tennesseans. This is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. That is because both my mother and sister both have multiple sclerosis and I have personally saw what happens when someone does not have the coverage that they need to fight a sickness or disease. I want to fight to make sure no other family has to watch a loved one suffer from not having the coverage they deserve. In the most prosperous country in the world, it is a shame that we have so many uninsured citizens. I want to change that.

2) I will work hard to see that we create a 21st Century business community and workforce for our state that will produce good paying jobs for our district and state for years to come. That means investing in green collar jobs and the technologies of tomorrow all the while expanding on current industries. Tennessee is blessed to have the best and hardest working workforce of anywhere in the world. It is time that we invest in them and make sure they have everything they need to compete and win in this fast changing world we live in. If we are serious about getting out of the economic rut we are in and taking care of Tennessee's working class families, this is a must.

3) I will be a fighter for Tennessee's children. Our children today are not only in competition with each other here in the United States, but also worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial that we give them the tools necessary to thrive in the 21st Century. This means investing in education from Pre-K all the way to higher education. Being a young person who is at the end of his college career and not too far removed from his public school days, I know what is expected of students today, how we can better improve our schools and help students.

I love my district and my state immensely. There is no other place that I would rather live or raise my children in the future. But I am deeply concerned about the direction we are currently headed.

We can do better and we will do better, I am confident. With your help and prayers, we can make this happen--together.

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Chris

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