Biden, Harris to pay tribute to late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in Houston this week – Houston Public Media

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Houston to pay tribute to the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee this week.

Jackson Lee died at the age of 74 on July 19, just weeks after announcing a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Several memorial services are planned this week to honor the U.S. representative who served Texas’ 18th Congressional District for nearly 30 years.

Biden is scheduled to stop in Houston on Monday night. He will pay tribute to Jackson Lee after a planned visit to Austin, where he will deliver a speech marking the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library earlier in the day.

“Sheila Jackson Lee is part of a long line of patriots who have delivered on the promise of America to all Americans,” Biden said in a statement earlier this month.

“I had the honor of working with her for nearly 30 years in Congress,” he said. “No matter the issue — from racial justice to building an economy for working people — she demonstrated unwavering resolve in her leadership.”

His visit comes weeks after the president postponed a trip to Houston to assess the city’s rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Beryl, after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. Days earlier, he tested positive for COVID-19 while campaigning.

Harris was instead briefed on the devastating hurricane by city leaders during her trip to Houston last week, where she delivered a keynote address at the American Federation of Teachers’ annual convention.

Daisy Espinoza/Houston Public Media

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On her third trip to Houston in the past month, the vice president is expected to attend a celebration of Jackson Lee’s life ceremony in Houston on Thursday, multiple media outlets reported.

“Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was a fierce advocate for justice and a tireless fighter for the people of Houston and the American people,” Harris said in a statement following Jackson Lee’s death.

“Her career in public service spanned more than three decades,” she said. “As a Houston judge, Houston City Council member and United States Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee’s work improved the lives of millions of Americans.”

Further tributes to Jackson Lee will continue throughout the week with a viewing and memorial service for her from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at God’s Grace Community Church, 9944 W. Montgomery Road.

On Wednesday, a wake and committal service will be held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in the Third Ward. The wake will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the service will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Thursday, a celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. at Fallbrook Church, 12512 Walters Road. Pre-registration may be required for the event.

“In the United States House of Representatives, Sheila Jackson Lee distinguished herself as a staunch advocate for her community, an effective legislator, and a fiercely loyal colleague and friend.”