Richard E. Jackson

Infobox US Cabinet official
name = Richard E. Jackson

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order1 = New York State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
term_start1 = 1995
term_end1 = 2000
president1 =
predecessor1 =
successor2 = Raymond P. Martinez
birth_date =
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
party = Republican
religion =
alma_mater =
profession = Teacher
Former Mayor

Richard Ernest Jackson Jr. (born July 18, 1945) is an American politician and mathematics teacher who was the first African American Mayor in New York.

Jackson was appointed Mayor of Peekskill, New York in 1984. The former Councilman was appointed to serve the unfinished mayoral term left vacant by Jackson's life-long friend, George E. Pataki, when Pataki ascended to the New York State Assembly. Pataki would eventually become the 53rd Governor of New York State. Jackson, who is still remembered for his tireless commitment to improving the city of Peekskill, was elected as Mayor in 1985 and became one of the city's most beloved Mayors, winning re-election in to two successive terms with the largest pluralities in the city's 51-year history. [" [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C13F63B5D0C708DDDA90994DD484D81 In Peekskill race, focus on economy.] " "New York Times". October 13, 1985.] [Melvin, Tessa. " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3D6123EF936A35756C0A967958260 Peekskill Left Stunned By Mayor's Resignation.] " "New York Times", May 5, 1991.] [Feron, James. " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEFDF133CF937A35752C1A961948260 Voters Approve $68 Million Jail For Westchester] ." "New York Times". November 4, 1987.] He resigned abruptly in 1991. [Feron, James. " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE2DC1631F930A35752C1A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all article An Unpredictable Political Season Comes to a Close] ". "New York Times". November 3, 1991.]

After serving eight years as mayor, Richard E. Jackson later became a member of Governor Patakiʼs Gubernatorial cabinet when we was appointed by the Governor in 1995, to become New York State's Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. Jackson served Commissioner from 1995 to 2000. [Fisher, Ian. " [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01EEDD153BF93AA15751C1A962958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 article Proponent of Work for Welfare Is Among 9 Pataki Appointments.] " "New York Times", December 29, 1994.]

Richard Jackson is married to Ruth Jackson, an elementary school music teacher, and the couple has four children; Tara, Alice, Abigail, and William, and three grandchildren, Ava, Kale, and Claire.

References

Citations

*Jackson, Alice. Personal interview. 20 Jun. 2008