During the recent State of the Union address, several awards and honors were bestowed on Americans of distinction. Everyone loves an accolade, but what happens when a specific request for recognition is denied? Such is the case with the memorial services being held this week for civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, whose family requested he be allowed to lie in state in the US Capitol Rotunda. But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said no to Jackson's family. They did not take the rejection well.
Begging for Honor?
On MS NOW's Morning Joe program, Jackson's son, Jonathan, argued: "There’s a very toxic climate in Washington, DC. The same Washington, DC, that would lower the flag for Charlie Kirk, that says the 1964 Civil Rights Act was a mistake. How can you say getting rid of biases in race, sex, and religion was a mistake?"
The younger Jackson’s reasoning appears to be apples to oranges: Lowering the flag for Kirk is not the same as lying in state, and one wonders just who, according to Johnathan, is saying the Civil Rights Act was a mistake. Rather, Johnson’s office indicated that this extraordinary honor is traditionally reserved for presidents and select military or civilian officials. Government officials are said to be “lying in state,” while private citizens are said to be “lying in honor.” There does not appear to be a clear-cut policy about who is allowed this distinctive commemoration and who is not. The Architect of the Capitol website states that the Rotunda is used for the “lying in state of eminent citizens…” It further states: "No law, written rule, or regulation specifies who may lie in state; use of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda is controlled by concurrent action of the House and Senate. Any person who has rendered distinguished service to the nation may lie in state if the family so wishes and Congress approves.”
There is precedent for the high tribute being afforded to others of similar stature to Jesse Jackson. For example, another civil rights leader, Georgia Congressman John Lewis, had the privilege of lying in state in the Rotunda in 2020. Additionally, the Capitol Rotunda was opened for Rosa Parks and Billy Graham to lie in honor. There was a bit of a kerfuffle over where Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should go. She wound up in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall after much debate. In all, 46 such prominent Americans are listed on the official Capitol website as having been given this extraordinary distinction, beginning with Henry Clay in 1852, followed by President Abraham Lincoln, and ending with former President Jimmy Carter.
Rev. Jesse Jackson – The Legacy
Plans for memorial services for the Rev. Jackson include lying in state in the South Carolina Capitol. As well, he will lie in repose at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago, an organization Jackson founded. According to AP, a public service will be held at the Chicago House of Hope, a place of worship that seats 10,000.
Jesse Jackson leaves behind him a mixed legacy. Some consider him a grifter who used the civil rights issue to his financial benefit. Others see him as a statesman who was able to leverage his reputation to secure the release of American hostages in other parts of the world. Most consider him a champion of equal rights and a fierce civil rights advocate. Jackson died on February 17 at the age of 84.
