ATLANTA – State Representative Carl Gilliard (D-Savannah), chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, today issued the following statement in response to the recent passing of Kevin “Catfish” Jackson:
“The community will feel the brunt of a person who was always so giving—he was a champion,” said Rep. Gilliard. “Kevin Jackson was not just a member of the University of Georgia’s football championship team of 1980, but he was a champion for life. He championed for the least and the left out. He championed for the children. When Savannah State University was in need, he championed for Savannah State. In 2016, he was my campaign manager and a champion for me to represent the people. Kevin Jackson was a champion for Georgia.”
Kevin Jackson was a member of the University of Georgia 1980 National Championship Football Team and the 1982 and 1983 Southeastern Conference Championship Teams. He served as the Chairman of Savannah Economic Development Authority. He also served on the Board of Directors for United Community Bank and Savannah Technical College. Most recently, he was appointed to the State Board of Natural Resources.
Representative Carl Gilliard represents the citizens of District 162, which includes portions of Chatham County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development and the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Insurance, Interstate Cooperation, Natural Resources & Environment, Reapportionment and Redistricting, State Properties and Transportation committees.
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