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| Affiliation | Green |
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| Name | Jason Wallace |
| Address |
Normal, Illinois , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
00, 1982
(42 years)
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| Contributor | ev |
| Last Modifed | Craverguy
Oct 23, 2008 11:06pm |
| Tags |
Caucasian - Single - Military Reserve - Straight -
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| Info | Jason Wallace, 25, was born in Normal, IL and has lived his life in Central Illinois. At age 5, his family moved to Hudson where he went to Hudson Elementary and while attending Parkside Junior High School they moved back to Normal. Then he attended Normal Community West High School where he graduated in 2001. He has an older brother, twin sister and both of his parents all reside in McLean County. Jason has a niece and four nephews, and one of the reasons he has decided to run for Congress is to ensure that they have a bright and hopeful future to grow up in so that they can enjoy some of the opportunities he has encountered in his lifetime.
Jason’s first work experience was like that of most Americans, during his junior year of high school he flipped hamburgers and served fries at a local McDonalds. Within the nine months of working there, he saved up enough money to purchase his first car. In addition, he received the Employee of the Quarter Award in June and September and was promoted to crew trainer and leader before he was 17. At Normal West, Jason was involved with the school newspaper, art club, and theatre. During his junior year of high school, he left McDonalds to work at University Cinemas in Normal. He understands the difficulty of balancing a life of work, school, being involved with the community, and still finding time to be with friends and family of which he values the most.
Soon after graduating high school and the events of 9/11, Jason enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard as an Airman First Class, and was promoted to Assistant Manager at his civilian job. Since the first day of his service in the Air Force, Jason has exemplified their three core values of 'Integrity First', 'Service Before Self', and 'Excellence in all We Do'. While in Technical school in Wichita Falls, Texas, Jason volunteered over 50 hours as a Chapel Rope at Sheppard Air Force Base and was a Distinguished Graduate with a 98% cumulative pass rate on course exams.
In 2003, Jason enrolled in courses at Heartland Community College. It was during this time that he became a local community activist and grassroots organizer by founding and coordinating the Central Illinois Bill of Rights Defense Committee (CIBORDC). He served as the local contact for the national Bill of Rights Defense Committee organization as well. The purpose of the CIBORDC was to educate citizens about the issues surrounding the balance between security and freedom as well as convince the local city councils to adopt resolutions opposing the USA PATRIOT Act. Both Human Relations Commissions used the information from the CIBORDC to adopt resolutions and forwarded them to the local councils, but no action was taken following the resolutions.
After the first full week of Wallace’s final semester at Heartland Community College to complete his Associate’s Degree, he received the call from his Guard unit that he was to serve on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served from February 2005 until July 2005. Before Jason was deployed to Kuwait, he volunteered to be an American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor for his Guard unit. While deployed, Jason also gained recognition and experience through his involvement with the Heartland Board of Trustees. He was appointed Student Trustee during his deployment in Kuwait, and took on his new responsibilities within 48 hours of returning to the country by attending the Illinois Community College Board Student Advisory Committee’s Student Leadership Institute. In Kuwait, Jason volunteered for the base Honor Guard and earned the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. His father also deployed to the same base in Kuwait shortly after Jason returned home, but retired a few months later after serving for 34 years.
After being released from active duty Jason returned to Heartland’s campus the fall semester and became even more involved on campus. Shortly before his activation, he had been hired as Heartland Community College’s Student Activities Assistant and due to Heartland’s dedication to serving those serving in the military; Jason was able to return to his job. During his time at Heartland, Wallace has made a lasting impact on campus. His involvements include being a member of the Student Senate, Cine Club, Writing Club, and Project R.I.S.E. He is also a founding member of the English Honor Society, Sigma Kappa Delta and served as the Public Relations Secretary, Vice-President, International Convention Voting Delegate, and Interim President of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of Community Colleges. Finally, he also served as the Student Library Advisory Committee Vice-President. From all of these organizations, Jason became very interested in hearing what was not only best for students but also the citizens in the community.
As the Student Trustee, Jason also served as the Illinois Community College Board Student Advisory Committee Local Issues Subcommittee Chair, MIS/Research Advisory Committee, and Heartland Community College Student Representative. He also represented Heartland Community College at the Illinois Board of Higher Education Student Advisory Committee (IBHE-SAC) meetings, during his final months at Heartland become the IBHE-SAC’s Secretary, and now serves as the Chair. An interesting fact about Wallace is that completed his Associate in Arts degree at Heartland in December 2005, but because of his dedication to serving the community he enrolled in two courses at in the spring 2006 semester so that he could complete his term as Student Trustee. This was concurrent with his Guard unit reactivating him in mid-December to serve on active military duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Wallace also completed Airman Leadership School with a 90% for the course and was promoted to Staff Sergeant after being in the Guard for a little over 5 years. The following spring, he completed his commitments to Heartland Community College as well as Associates in Applied Science for Survival Equipment from the Community College of the Air Force.
While at Heartland Community College, Jason also received the following awards and distinctions:
* 2006 Illinois Community College Trustee's Association Gigi Campbell Student Trustee Excellence Award
* 2006 All-Illinois Academic Team Member and All-USA Academic Team Nominee
* National Dean's List for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006
* Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006
* Central Illinois Chapter 2005 William S. Basinski CPCU Memorial Scholarship
* Dean’s List- fall 2003 – fall 2005 consecutive semesters
In the summer of 2006, Jason transferred to Illinois State University as a Community College Transfer Scholar, and is an honor student. At Illinois State, Jason continued to be involved in the community and on campus despite still serving on active duty. He is a founding member of the Undergraduate Political Science Club, and after hearing of Rich Whitney's campaign for Governor in 2006 and the Green Party's Ten Key Values, Jason decided to join the Illinois Green Party. He feels these values complement his studies of not only a Politics & Government, but also his minor in Peace & Conflict Resolution of which his emphasis is on social justice. In addition, Wallace became the ISU Representative and Commissioner on the Town of Normal Human Relations Commission, while also serving on ISU’s Grievance Committee.
In January 2007 he was released from his one plus year of active duty and enrolled full-time again at ISU. From his successful first semester, Jason joined the Golden Key International Honor Society and Phi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Club. Moreover, Jason was one of 233 nationwide finalists for the 2007 Truman Scholarship an accomplishment that few students from Illinois educational institutions achieve. Jason is currently completing his Bachelor’s in Science and will graduate in May 2008, but remains active on campus in the community. He is currently serving on the College of Arts and Science Curriculum Committee and has been a Precinct Committeeman for the McLean County Green Party since January 2007. Recently he received an undergraduate scholarship from Golden Key.
In April 2007, Jason saw another opportunity to serve the community and give back to his former community college. He ran for the Community College District # 540 Board of Trustees, also known as Heartland Community College, and received 7357 votes. The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly, The Pantagraph, and the McLean County Green Party endorsed Jason for this election and the top three candidates would win a seat on the Board of Trustees. Wallace came in fourth place, but he was only 17 votes away from winning. Nearly a month later, the official results were announced and many people in the community encouraged Jason to run for office again. This is another reason why Jason is running for Congress; the people have asked him to enter into a life of politics. The potential for change is great at the local level, but many of his supporters, friends, and family have seen a potential for more in Jason. Positive change and hope for a better world is a vote for Jason Wallace.
A couple of months after the Heartland Community College Board election, Wallace formed another community organization. This group was the beginning of the Committee to Elect Jason Wallace, and he would not be on the road he is now without the many volunteers and contributions that believe the time has come for an alternative in politics. A time for someone that listened to what people had to say and is willing to help people wherever he can. Wallace’s campaign has put him into direct contact with many people in the 11th District. Based on conversations with the people and the Green Parties’ 10 key values to guide his political perspective, he has the following issues as his top priorities in his run for Congress:
* Renewable and sustainable energy sources as well as public transportation
* Better care and support for our veterans
* Restoring our civil liberties and rights
* Increased funding for public education
* Universal, comprehensive, national single-payer health care
Jason wants to serve the people in Illinois as a member of the United States House of Representatives because he believes in honest leadership in government. Something that most American seems to not believe possible in today’s political climate, but if elected to Congress the voters in the 11th District will have someone that they can count on to serve their best interests and not be swayed by large corporations and donations from lobbyists. He is first generation college student and has worked tirelessly to serve the citizens in Illinois as an Airman and advocate for the stakeholders of Illinois’ education system. The only people he will answer to are the people, because he believes in “a government for the people by the people.”
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