Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-04-23

RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF LISA PEREZ JACKSON

TaxesClimateEnvironmentCrime & Justice

Context

On 2026-04-23, Representative Troy A. Carter (D-LA-2) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF LISA PEREZ JACKSON" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered climate policy, the environment.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF LISA PEREZ JACKSON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E360-E361] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF LISA PEREZ JACKSON ______ HON. TROY A. CARTER of louisiana in the house of representatives Thursday, April 23, 2026 Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible woman, Mrs. Lisa Perez Jackson, a distinguished native of my hometown and the district I serve. Her career includes an incredible path, spanning nearly four decades in state and federal government, public policy, and the private sector. While Mrs. Jackson was born in Philadelphia, she was raised in Pontchartrain Park by her adopted parents, Benjamin and Marie Perez. In 1979, she graduated as valedictorian from St. Mary's Dominican High School and would later graduate summa cum laude from Tulane University in 1983 with a degree in chemical engineering. As a National Merit Scholar, Ms. Jackson went on to earn a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University in 1986. Shortly thereafter, Jackson would begin her distinguished career in government, first as an engineer with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. before subsequent promotions as deputy director and acting director of enforcement of the Agency's regional office in New York City. After 16 years with the EPA, Jackson joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in March 2002 as assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement and would later serve as assistant commissioner for land use management. She was appointed to lead DEP in 2006 by then Governor Jon Corzine and would later serve as the Governor's Chief of Staff. On January 23, 2009, Jackson was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as President Barack Obama's Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. During her tenure as EPA Administrator, Jackson oversaw the development of stricter fuel efficiency standards and EPA's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards. In 2013, Jackson became Apple, Inc.'s Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. During her tenure at Apple, Jackson led the company's transformation into a global leader in corporate environmental responsibility, achieving 100 percent renewable energy for Apple's worldwide operations in 2018 and implementing an industry- leading supplier clean energy program that added over 5 gigawatts of new clean energy globally. Jackson oversaw Apple's commitment to become carbon neutral across its entire business and supply chain by 2030, a commitment that Apple is still on track to meet to this day. Beyond environmental leadership, Jackson launched Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) in June 2020 following nationwide protests against racial injustice. Under her leadership, the program more than doubled its initial $100 million commitment to surpass $200 million in investments over three years, focusing on three core pillars: education, economic empowerment, and criminal justice reform. These investments include the creation of the Propel Center--a $25 million global innovation and learning hub serving the entire HBCU community with curriculum in AI, machine learning, social justice, and entrepreneurship. Jackson also expanded the HBCU C \2\ initiative to 45 community coding centers and regional hubs on HBCU campuses, reaching more than 160,000 learners, and committed over $50 million to HBCUs and Hispanic-Serving Institutions for STEM opportunities. These investments also include but are not limited to the funding of venture capital firms, Community Development Financial Institutions, and Minority Depository Institutions supporting Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Jackson was also responsible for Apple's worldwide government affairs function, product accessibility work, and education policy programs, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. She was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Throughout her career, Jackson earned the respect of engineers, environmentalists and peers alike for her deep understanding of the legislative process and her commitment to accuracy and fairness, viewing politics not simply as a beat, but as a public trust, connecting government actions to the people they affect. As she retires, she leaves behind a legacy of integrity, insight, and service to the country. Today, I salute her on an incredible life of service. [[Page E361]] ____________________

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RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF LISA PEREZ JACKSON Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E360-E361] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE RETIREMENT OF LISA PEREZ JACKSON ______ HON. TROY A. CARTER of louisiana in the house of representatives Thursday, April 23, 2026 Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible woman, Mrs. Lisa Perez Jackson, a distinguished native of my hometown and the district I serve. Her career includes an incredible path, spanning nearly four decades in state and federal government, public policy, and the private sector. While Mrs. Jackson was born in Philadelphia, she was raised in Pontchartrain Park by her adopted parents, Benjamin and Marie Perez. In 1979, she graduated as valedictorian from St. Mary's Dominican High School and would later graduate summa cum laude from Tulane University in 1983 with a degree in chemical engineering. As a National Merit Scholar, Ms. Jackson went on to earn a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University in 1986. Shortly thereafter, Jackson would begin her distinguished career in government, first as an engineer with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. before subsequent promotions as deputy director and acting director of enforcement of the Agency's regional office in New York City. After 16 years with the EPA, Jackson joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in March 2002 as assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement and would later serve as assistant commissioner for land use management. She was appointed to lead DEP in 2006 by then Governor Jon Corzine and would later serve as the Governor's Chief of Staff. On January 23, 2009, Jackson was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as President Barack Obama's Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. During her tenure as EPA Administrator, Jackson oversaw the development of stricter fuel efficiency standards and EPA's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards. In 2013, Jackson became Apple, Inc.'s Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. During her tenure at Apple, Jackson led the company's transformation into a global leader in corporate environmental responsibility, achieving 100 percent renewable energy for Apple's worldwide operations in 2018 and implementing an industry- leading supplier clean energy program that added over 5 gigawatts of new clean energy globally. Jackson oversaw Apple's commitment to become carbon neutral across its entire business and supply chain by 2030, a commitment that Apple is still on track to meet to this day. Beyond environmental leadership, Jackson launched Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) in June 2020 following nationwide protests against racial injustice. Under her leadership, the program more than doubled its initial $100 million commitment to surpass $200 million in investments over three years, focusing on three core pillars: education, economic empowerment, and criminal justice reform. These investments include the creation of the Propel Center--a $25 million global innovation and learning hub serving the entire HBCU community with curriculum in AI, machine learning, social justice, and entrepreneurship. Jackson also expanded the HBCU C \2\ initiative to 45 community coding centers and regional hubs on HBCU campuses, reaching more than 160,000 learners, and committed over $50 million to HBCUs and Hispanic-Serving Institutions for STEM opportunities. These investments also include but are not limited to the funding of venture capital firms, Community Development Financial Institutions, and Minority Depository Institutions supporting Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Jackson was also responsible for Apple's worldwide government affairs function, product accessibility work, and education policy programs, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. She was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Throughout her career, Jackson earned the respect of engineers, environmentalists and peers alike for her deep understanding of the legislative process and her commitment to accuracy and fairness, viewing politics not simply as a beat, but as a public trust, connecting government actions to the people they affect. As she retires, she leaves behind a legacy of integrity, insight, and service to the country. Today, I salute her on an incredible life of service. [[Page E361]] ____________________