RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION DECLARES SATURDAY, NOV. 28 "BOBBY RUSH DAY" IN CELEBRATION OF REP. RUSH'S 40 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE

CHICAGO - On Saturday, November 28, Congressman Bobby Rush will be feted by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition with "Bobby Rush Day" in honor of the congressman's 63rd birthday and his more than 40 years of public service. The 10 AM event will be held at PUSH headquarters at 930 E. 50th Street, and feature tributes and other festive accolades. The event is free and open to the public.

"I cannot fully put into words the great pride and joy I feel to be honored by Rev. Jackson," Rush said. "In many respects this tribute brings it all home. I am pleased to have lived a life that is worthy of this special recognition. I am alive today because one day, on Saturday, December 8, 1969, Rev. Jackson gave me sanctuary at Operation PUSH.  And, in doing so, he allowed me to turn myself in to the Chicago Police at a time when I had been falsely accused. For that, and many more reasons, I love him and there's nothing he can do about it!"

Born on November 23, 1946 in Albany, Georgia, Rush moved to Chicago as a child and lived on the near north and west sides in public housing. He graduated from Marshall High School and at the age of 17, enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the military from 1963 until 1968, receiving an honorable discharge.

Following his military service, Rush attended Roosevelt University, where he received a bachelor's degree in general studies, with honors, in 1973. In 1994, he received a master's degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Congressman Rush received his second master's degree, in 1998, in theological studies from McCormick Seminary, and, soon thereafter, he became an ordained Baptist minister.

During the Civil Rights Movement Rush worked to secure civil and human rights for African Americans, women and other people of color. He was a member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and in 1968 and co-founded the Illinois Black Panther Party.

As a Black Panther, he helped develop the Panther Party's Free Breakfast for Children program which was later adopted by the federal government.   Rush also coordinated the Free Medical Clinic, which developed the nation's first mass sickle cell anemia testing program. In addition, the young activist worked to register voters, advocated against poor housing conditions and police misconduct. On December 4, 1969 Chicago police officers raided the apartment of Panther Fred Hampton and Mark Clark and assassinated them in cold-blood drawing international outcry. A day later and acting upon a questionable arrest warrant, police raided Rush's apartment, however, he was not there. The activist coordinated his compliance to police questioning by turning himself into Rev. Jesse Jackson before a packed audience at Operation PUSH.

Prior to his election to Congress, Rush was elected to Chicago City Council as part of the historic ticket led by Congressman Harold Washington, who became the first African American to serve as mayor. He represented the 2nd Ward on Chicago's South Side for eight years. During his tenure he helped pass significant environmental protection, gun control and neighborhood development legislation.  In 1992, he was elected to serve in the U. S. House of Representatives representing the citizens of the 1st Congressional District of Illinois. He currently serves as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, co-chair of the Jobs NOW! Congressional Caucus and, co-chair of the African Partnership.

Rush received an honorary doctorate degree from the Virginia University of Lynchburg and, in 2007, he was the proud recipient of an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters from Roosevelt University, Chicago. He is the pastor of Beloved Community Christian Church and has been married to his wife, Carolyn, for 27 years.

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