-Caveat Lector-
Jackson Reveals Out of Wedlock Kid
By SONYA ROSS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson revealed
Thursday that he had an extramarital affair that resulted in the birth of a
daughter. "I fully accept responsibility and I am truly sorry for my
actions,'' he said.
Jackson, a Baptist minister and one-time aide to Martin Luther King
Jr., issued a statement admitting that he fathered the child, now 20 months
old, and has provided "emotional and financial support'' since her birth. "As
her mother does, I love this child very much,'' he said.
"I was born of these circumstances, and I know the importance of
growing up in a nurturing, supportive and protected environment,'' Jackson
said. "So I am determined to give my daughter and her mother the privacy they
both deserve.''
Jackson did not say why he issued the statement. His New York-based
spokesman, John Scanlon, said later that Jackson acted to get out in front of
anticipated tabloid reports about the child, who Scanlon said was the result
of an affair Jackson had with a woman who worked in the Washington office of
Jackson's advocacy group, the Rainbow-PUSH Coalition.
"He's obviously concerned for his family, for his child and the child's
mother,'' Scanlon said.
"This is no time for evasions, denials or alibis,'' Jackson's statement
said. "No doubt, many close friends and supporters will be disappointed in
me. I ask for their forgiveness, understanding and prayers.''
Jackson was a steadfast presence at President Clinton's side as the
president struggled with the public revelation of his affair with Monica
Lewinsky and the impeachment proceedings that followed. It was Jackson who
went to the White House to pray with Clinton's family on a grim weekend in
August 1998, as Clinton admitted the truth to his wife and daughter and, in a
nationally televised speech, to the nation.
Last August, Clinton awarded Jackson the Medal of Freedom, the nation's
highest civilian honor. At that time, Jackson lavished praise on his wife,
Jackie, and his five children for supporting him in his long civil rights
career.
Jackson said his family was aware of the situation with the child and
was experiencing "an extremely painful, trying and difficult time.''
"I have asked God and each one of them to forgive me, and I thank each
of them for their grace and understanding throughout this period of
tribulation,'' Jackson said. "We have prayed together, and through God's
grace we have been reconciling.''
Jackson said he would be taking an indefinite hiatus from his activist
activities, which included opposing the confirmation of President-elect
Bush's attorney general nominee John Ashcroft, to "revive my spirit and
reconnect with my family.''
Jackson was not available for comment early Thursday.
On Wednesday, he visited Xavier University in Louisiana with his son,
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill. and went from there to Chicago.
Scanlon said Jackson's break from public life would not be immediate.
"We'll honor some of the earlier commitments he had and ... take a look at
what the other short-term commitments are,'' the spokesman said.
18-Jan-01 07:28 EST
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