CLARIFYING THE PROCEDURE: Was Jesse Jackson Denied Honor of ‘Laying in State’ at the US Capitol?

There is a difference between lying in state and lying in repose. Only the following are allowed to lay in state: Current or former government officials (e.g., Member of Congress, President, Vice President); military leaders; unknown servicemembers from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam era. All other eligible honorees would be considered for lying in repose. At press time it appears that Jackson will be doing neither.It had been presumed that Congress snubbed the request for political reasons. The Jackson family said in a statement that they want an apolitical homegoing, welcoming the entire public to pay their respect regardless of party affiliation.

Rosa Parks did not lie in state at the U.S. Capitol. To lie in repose is a distinction granted to individual of nobility or of high esteem in society. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg lay in repose on the steps of the Supreme Court. Parks was the first and only private citizen granted the honor to lie in repose inside the Capitol Rotunda (in 2005).

In 2020, an exception was made for Congressman John Lewis who was authorized to lay in repose on the Capitol steps with the signing of a concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 105.

Similarly, Baptist evangelist Billy Graham lay in the rotunda in 2018. He was the 18th non-president to do so and was approved via asenate resolution.

Since the rotunda is a shared space in the center of the Capitol, the decision is an act of Congress that involves approval from both Chambers, The Slice News confirmed.

Requests for both Dick Cheney and Charlie Kirk were denied.  The last person to lie in state was Pres. Jimmy Carter.

While Jackson was prominent in U.S. politics, he never held public office but given the previous individuals who were recognized and the historical significance of his legacy, supporters deemed his stature equally as worthy of the supreme honor.

In response to the denial, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed that Jackson lie in state at the John A. Wilson Building (the seat of D.C.’s local government). Jackson previously served as D.C.’s first “Shadow Senator” from 1991 to 1997.

Official Memorial Schedule

Thursday, February 26

Lying in State – Rainbow PUSH Coalition

930 E. 50th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

10:00 AM

Friday, February 27

Lying in State – Rainbow PUSH Coalition

930 E. 50th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

10:00 AM**Travel date(s): March 1 through March 5

South Carolina and Washington, D.C.