Sheila Jackson Lee, the dedicated Texas congresswoman who fiercely championed Black rights for three decades, has passed away at the age of 74.
Her family confirmed her death on Friday, expressing their grief and gratitude for her impactful life. The exact cause of her death was not disclosed, but Lee had announced in June that she was battling pancreatic cancer, which required her to take occasional absences from Congress for treatment.
Born in Queens, New York, Lee was a steadfast Democrat, known for her outspoken stance on racial issues affecting Black communities. Her political journey led her to Texas, where she served on the Houston City Council before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994.
Representing Texas’s 18th congressional district, which includes Houston and its surrounding areas, Lee spent 30 years in the House. She held significant positions, such as chairwoman of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and was a member of the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget committees.
One of her notable achievements was being the chief author of the 2021 legislation that established Juneteenth as a federal holiday, marking the end of slavery in America.
The Congressional Black Caucus honored Lee’s memory, describing her as “a fierce advocate for social and economic justice, national and homeland security, energy independence, and children and working families.”
Sheila Jackson Lee leaves behind a powerful legacy and will be deeply missed.
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