When the name Sheila Jackson Lee comes up, all you think of is that advocate for Black Americans, right? Sadly, she just passed away at age 74. While the news of her death is sad, Sheila Jackson Lee gave us a heads-up last month.
In June, she announced that she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, noting that the road ahead might be rough, but she believed that God would strengthen her. According to her family, Jackson Lee was a “fierce champion of the people.”
She was known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for over 30 years.
Who Is Sheila Jackson Lee?
Sheila Jackson Lee, born on January 12, 1950, in Queens, New York, was one of the first female graduates from Yale University. Post-graduation, she served as a Houston Municipal judge and a city councilwoman. In 1994, she was elected to represent Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
During Sheila Jackson Lee’s tenure, she constantly advocated for progressive interests and Black Americans. She was one of the sponsors of legislation to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday, frequently spoke out against police brutality, and advocated federal legislation to prosecute police misconduct.
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In addition, Sheila Jackson Lee was widely known among many progressives for her opposition to the Iraq War. She was also a fierce Donald Trump critic. In fact, she opposed the tallying of electoral votes, which certified Trump as the winner of the 2016 election.
She also occasionally used her position on the House Judiciary Committee to criticize members of Trump’s circle.
What Were the Major Achievements of Sheila Jackson Lee?
While Sheila Jackson Lee was unsuccessful in some of her most ambitious aims, she forever advocated for racial justice. This is particularly true after George Floyd’s tragic death in 2020. Before her death, she was the chief deputy whip for House Democrats, the vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the whip of the Congressional Black Caucus.
In a statement following her death, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steve Horsford and other members noted that she was a patriot and a fighter. As they put it, “Words cannot express the sense of loss our Caucus feels for our beloved friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”
Sheila Jackson Lee’s tenure in Congress sparked a lot of controversies. According to The New York Times, her ties to Enron–her district included the corporation’s headquarters. Additionally, it was a major contributor to her early congressional campaigns, which were investigated in the aftermath of its failure in the early 2000s.
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More Details About Sheila Jackson Lee’s Achievements
In 2019, Sheila Jackson Lee resigned as chairwoman of the nonprofit Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. She also stepped down from a House Judiciary subcommittee chairmanship after a lawsuit that alleged she fired a staffer who reported sexual assault by a supervisor at the foundation.
At the time, she refused to “discuss specific details about internal personnel matters.” However, she denied the allegations, and a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in February 2020. In 2023, Sheila Jackson Lee sought the Houston mayorship.
At that time, she earned endorsements from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. However, she lost in a runoff to Texas state Sen. John Whitmire, a fellow Democrat. After that loss, she decided to seek a 16th term in Congress.
Afterward, she won a competitive Democratic primary over former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards, a former intern.
Reactions to Sheila Jackson’s Death
Speaking about her death, President Joe Biden’s statement read, “Sheila Jackson Lee is part of a long line of patriots who delivered the promise of America to all Americans. Jill and I send our love and condolences to her family, her constituents, and beloved colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also said in his statement that House Democrats and the city of Houston “mourn a giant.” They will keep remembering her as “an accomplished legislator, passionate public servant, loving mentor, and wonderful friend to those in the Congressional Black Caucus and House Democratic Caucus family.
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