Lester Jackson facts for kids

Lester George Jackson III, born on July 26, 1959, is an American politician. He served as a state senator for Chatham County, Georgia. He was also appointed in 2009 to the Democratic National Committee. This was a special honor, as he was the first person from Georgia's coastal area to join this committee in over 19 years.

Lester Jackson's Public Service Career

Lester Jackson is a dentist from Savannah. He first became a state senator in 2008. Before that, he worked for 10 years in the House of Representatives.

Early Achievements in Politics

In 1999, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus named him Georgia's Freshman Legislator of the Year. He also served as an assistant house majority whip. This role helps organize votes for his political party. The Georgia Dental Association honored him as Legislator of the Year in 2000 and 2002. He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Dental Association in 2001.

Representing His Community

Jackson was a delegate at the Democratic National Convention in 2000 and again in 2008. A delegate is someone chosen to represent their area at a big political meeting. The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus again selected him as their Legislator of the Year in 2008 and 2010. He is also a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy Dental Society.

Committee Work in the Senate

By 2013, Jackson was part of several important Senate committees. These included the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development, Health and Human Services, Higher Education, and Urban Affairs Committees. These committees help make decisions on many different topics for the state.

Lester Jackson's Background and Family

Lester Jackson has lived in Savannah, Georgia, his whole life. He went to public schools in Chatham County. In 2009, he received the Savannah Community Service Award. He also earned the Legislator of the Year Award from the Savannah State University Alumni Association in 2009.

Education and Professional Life

Jackson attended Paine College. In 1985, he earned his doctor of dental surgery degree from Meharry Medical College. He has also taught at the Medical College of Georgia and Armstrong Atlantic State University.

Community Involvement

Jackson is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He is a life member of the NAACP, which is a civil rights organization. He is also a life member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He helped start the Savannah Chapter of the 100 Black Men and is a member of the American Legion, Post 500.

His Family

Lester Jackson has four children: Charity, Lester IV, Leah, and Johnathan. He is also the uncle to Tracey Watts Valencia.

See also

• List of state government committees (Georgia)