U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1940 to 1953 as a representative from Washington's 2nd Congressional District, and as a member of the United States Senate from 1953 until his death in 1983. He was a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to being elected to federal office, he served as Snohomish County Prosecutor from 1938 to 1940. In 1952 he defeated Republican incumbent Harry P. Cain for a seat in the United States Senate. As a member of the United States Senate he served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. He was an acknowledged policy expert on issues of national security, nuclear weapons, energy and environmental causes. Affectionately known in local circles as the "Senator from Boeing," he played a significant role in acquiring military and defense contracts for the Northwest aerospace giant. Together with fellow U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson, he served as one of the most powerful political figures in Washington D.C. for well over a quarter century. At the time of his death he was the highest ranking Democrat to serve on the Armed Services Committee and was leading member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. In 1972 and 1976, he ran unsuccessful campaigns to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidency. Following his death the nuclear attack submarine "Henry M. Jackson" was commissioned in his honor, and the "Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies" was established on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. On June 26, 1984 he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan for his many years of distinguished public service to the nation.
U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1940 to 1953 as a representative from Washington's 2nd Congressional District, and as a member of the United States Senate from 1953 until his death in 1983. He was a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to being elected to federal office, he served as Snohomish County Prosecutor from 1938 to 1940. In 1952 he defeated Republican incumbent Harry P. Cain for a seat in the United States Senate. As a member of the United States Senate he served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. He was an acknowledged policy expert on issues of national security, nuclear weapons, energy and environmental causes. Affectionately known in local circles as the "Senator from Boeing," he played a significant role in acquiring military and defense contracts for the Northwest aerospace giant. Together with fellow U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson, he served as one of the most powerful political figures in Washington D.C. for well over a quarter century. At the time of his death he was the highest ranking Democrat to serve on the Armed Services Committee and was leading member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. In 1972 and 1976, he ran unsuccessful campaigns to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidency. Following his death the nuclear attack submarine "Henry M. Jackson" was commissioned in his honor, and the "Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies" was established on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. On June 26, 1984 he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan for his many years of distinguished public service to the nation.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
Inscription
United States Representative
1941-1953
United States Senator
1953-1983
"If we really believe in the cause of freedom,
Let us practice it, live it, and protect it --
For humanity's future depends upon it."
Family Members
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See more Jackson memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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