Rush, a former Chicago alderman, was elected to Congress in 1992, and is chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
His U.S House colleague, Danny Davis, gave Rush a resolution of tribute from the Congressional Black Caucus.
Rush, who's a church pastor, offered a prayerful thank you.
"I am humbled. The Bible tells us to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with your God. And God has made this day. This is a day that the Lord has made," Rush said.
RainbowPUSH's Reverend Jesse Jackson called Rush one of the nation's authentic voices for social justice.
