Maynard Jackson, former mayor of Atlanta, died of heart failure on Monday. He was 65.
Jackson was elected in 1973 as the first black mayor of a major Southern city. He was only 35 at the time, making him the nation’s youngest mayor.
He served two terms, and then a third from 1990 to 1994, when he won the election with 79 percent of the vote. Jackson was also the president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and of the national Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.
“His commitment to public service, strong business acumen and love of family have firmly established his place in history. Atlanta’s growth and prominence among the nation’s most vital cities will also live on as a large part of Maynard Jackson’s tremendous legacy,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.
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June 23, 2003 by
Maynard Jackson
Categories: Politicians
As an educational administrator and transportation planner, I had the privilege of working with Mayor Jackson when he was building the Atlanta Airport. He was an outstanding leader and public servant. More importantly, he was — and will continue to be — the ideal role model of young people today and generations yet unborn.
I know God will welcome him into his “fraternity of faithful followers and believers” who charted the course for building a better world.