Comments 1 - 6 of 6 Search these comments
She got hired onto the staff of Congressman Leo Ryan. She went on a fact-finding trip to Jonestown, Guyana. A mad pastor opened fire and killed several hundred people. Jackie was hit with 5 bullets. She lay on the tarmac of an airport for many hours playing dead. She was rescued by US forces.
Jonestown shooting
Main article: Jonestown
External video
video icon Q&A interview with Speier on her book Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage, and Fighting Back, November 18, 2018, C-SPAN
Speier entered politics by serving as a congressional staffer for Congressman Leo Ryan. Speier was part of his November 1978 fact-finding mission organized to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple followers, almost all of whom were American citizens who had moved to Jonestown, Guyana, with Jones in 1977 and 1978.[2]
Several Peoples Temple members ambushed the investigative team and others boarding the plane to leave Jonestown on November 18. Five people were killed, including Ryan. While trying to shield herself from rifle and shotgun fire behind small airplane wheels with other team members, Speier was shot five times and waited 22 hours before help arrived.[11] The same day, over 900 remaining members of the Peoples Temple died in Jonestown and Georgetown in a mass murder-suicide.
Jackie had a long hospitalization. When she recovered, she ran for congress to get elected to the seat of her deceased boss. She came in #3. Jackie did not give up. She launched a political career by running for San Mateo County Supervisor. She defeated a 20- year incumbent. She next ran for State Assembly and won. After some years of service, she moved up to State Senator and did a great job.
As her political career prospered, Jackie married a man named Steve and had two children. Steve was tragically killed in a car crash. Jackie became a single mom for many years until she remarried.
When Congressman Tom Lantos died, she made another run for the congressional seat that was a big part of her life. 15 years ago, Elena and I were at Jackie's election headquarters. I was standing next to Jackie when she was declared the winner of the election. I shared her elation. Jackie was wearing high heel shoes that night. Despite this handicap, she started dancing to rock and roll music. I reminded her of this story yesterday. I finished the conversation with these uplifting words for her as follows:
"Jackie, you are tough!!!"
Everyone have a good day. Give thanks for your good fortune in life. Eat some healthy food and get some exercise. Attend religious services if you are so inclined.