"A Lion of a Man"
"I truly believe that Maynard Jackson must be looked upon as one of the founding fathers of the New Atlanta, the New South, and the New America."
-U.S. Rep. John Lewis, June 28, 2003
Mayor Jackson with his family, c. 1989. Front row: Maynard "Buzzy" and Brooke. Back row: Valarie-Amanda, Valerie, Maynard, Jr., Elizabeth, and Alexandra.
Mayor Jackson did not seek a fourth term as mayor, with his 1992 bypass surgery factoring into the decision. Instead, he placed his powerful political mantel onto the shoulders of those who followed him into the mayor's office. Mayor Jackson spent his considerable energies on multiple endeavors, among them: the National Democratic Committee's Voting Rights InstituteL Jacson Securities: Jackmont Hospitality, a new food and beverage services company organized by his daughter Brooke Jackson Edmond and Daniel Halpern: and his Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation, Inc.
On June 23, 2003, Mayor Jackson suffered a fatal heart attack at Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C. He was 65. Thousands attended his memorial services to honor the man who had transformed the city of Atlanta forever. Shirley Franklin, Mayor Jackson's political protege and mayor at the time, remembered him as,"...a lion of a man, who lived his life with courage, compassion and a dedication to public service."
Hilary Clinton greets Mayor Jackson during his visit with then-president Bill Clinton at the White House in 1996.
Mayor Jackson and Shirley Franklin in 1993. Franklin served as commissioner of cultural affairs under Mayor Jackson and as chief administrative officer and city manager under Mayro Andrew Young. When Jackson returned for his third term, Franklin remained as exectuive officer of operations. Mayor Jackson threw his strong support behind Franklin in her winning campaign to beome the first female mayor of Atlanta, serving from 1002 to 2010.
Atlanta City Councilman Bill Campbell received Mayor Jackson's endorsement and won the 1993 mayoral election.
Top to bottom: Mayors Jackson, Andrew Young, and Bill Campbell. (Courtesy Carol Ann Miller)
Plaque Of Mayors Hartsfield and Jackson
One of Jackson's last letters as Mayor of Atlanta.
In 2003, the Atlanta City Council added Mayor Jackson's name to the Atlanta City airport in recognition of his role in its expansion. When completed, the new international terminal was named in his honor as the Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr. International Terminal.