Speaker Johnson Denies Capitol Honor for Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has denied a request for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. to lie in honor at the United States Capitol. The decision, communicated by Speaker Johnson's office, was reportedly based on established precedent regarding the use of the Capitol Rotunda for such commemorations. Reverend Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader, passed away this week at the age of 84.
"Speaker Mike Johnson has denied a request for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. to lie in honor at the United States Capitol."
Request and Denial Details
The request for Rev. Jackson to lie in honor was made by his family and supported by House Democrats. Speaker Johnson's office cited established precedent, noting that the space is typically reserved for former presidents, select military personnel, and certain government officials. Similar requests to honor other public figures, including conservative activist Charlie Kirk and former Vice President Dick Cheney, have also been denied in the past.
The Architect of the Capitol's website indicates that the Capitol and its Rotunda are generally reserved for "most eminent citizens." Government and military officials typically lie in state, while private citizens lie in honor. There are no specific rules defining who qualifies for this honor; rather, it requires concurrence from both the House and the Senate. Lying in honor involves placing the deceased's casket in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for public viewing and respects.
Precedent and Prior Commemorations
While rare, precedents for private citizens to lie in honor at the Capitol exist. Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks lay in honor in 2005, and Reverend Billy Graham in 2018. Other recent commemorations include Congressman John Lewis, a Civil Rights movement veteran, who lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda in 2020. Later that same year, services for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were held in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.
Reactions
NAACP President Derrick Johnson issued a statement criticizing the House Speaker's decision.
Legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.
Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. was a prominent civil rights leader and humanitarian. He rose to national recognition in the 1960s as a close aide to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson twice sought the Democratic presidential nomination, running in 1984 and 1988. He founded the Rainbow Coalition, later known as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization dedicated to advocating for a progressive economic agenda and inclusive policies across various demographic groups. Globally, he gained recognition for his human rights efforts, including negotiating the release of American hostages and criticizing Apartheid South Africa. Reverend Jackson was a native of South Carolina.
Planned Memorial Services
The Jackson family has announced scheduled memorial services to honor Rev. Jackson's life. These services are set to begin next week in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and his home state of South Carolina. Discussions with lawmakers are ongoing regarding specific locations for these proceedings. Final memorial services are scheduled for March 6 and 7 in Chicago, which will include a lying in repose at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters.