ELC Honors Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.

APA Education Policy Office: October 4, 2005

Congressman Jackson with Norman Anderson

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), member of the powerful House Appropriations Labor-Health & Human Services-Education Subcommittee, was honored at a reception held during the September 2005 Education Leadership Conference. Congressman Jackson also received a special award from the APA Board of Educational Affairs that was presented by APA's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Norman Anderson, which read in part: “For [your] contributions to improving our nation's health care. …recognition of the importance of mental and behavioral health to advancing integrated health care services, and…support of psychology education and training that meets the mental and behavioral health needs of underserved populations…”

Speaking to a room filled with psychologists and graduate students from across the country, Congressman Jackson speaks to the audience. Congressman Jackson thanked APA and the psychology community for the special award and spoke about his personal and professional experiences that have inspired his interest in public service and subsequent efforts to address the needs of underserved populations in the Chicago area and throughout the U.S.

A longstanding champion for the poor and disenfranchised, Mr. Jackson talked about his legislative initiatives to ensure access to quality health care, including psychological services, for our nation's most vulnerable populations. In addition to supporting the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Minority Fellowship Program (which supports the APA Public Interest Directorate grant), he has championed the Bureau of Health Professions Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program, the first and only federal program solely dedicated to the support of psychology education and training.

Stirring emotions and electrifying his audience, Congressman Jackson spoke eloquently and passionately about the need for our nation to address the plight of the underprivileged. He concluded his heartfelt remarks by urging ELC participants join him in his efforts and to become actively involved in the political process.