Jesse Louis Jackson is an American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. He began his public life as a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement and has remained active in civil rights advocacy for many years. Jackson has played a significant role in both political and religious spheres in the United States. He served as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. Jackson is also known for his family ties, being the father of U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson and former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.