Congressman Remembers Late Sheila Jackson Lee

HOUSTON – Better known as “the Congresswoman,” Sheila Jackson Lee died after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 74.

Lee dedicated her life to serving the Houston community, first as a Houston City Councilwoman and then for 29 years as a Congresswoman representing Texas’ 18th Congressional District.

Of those more than three decades of combined public service, it is the words she has spoken recently that may have the most impact.

“The bill is passed,” Lee said as he struck the gavel approving Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021.

“I suspect that in any Juneteenth celebration, there will always be a mention of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and what she did to make this happen,” said Rep. Al Green of Texas’ 9th Congressional District.

Lee was known as a voice of reason, demanding constitutional rights for all.

“She was a champion of people who really worked and dedicated their lives to making our pledge of allegiance a reality: liberty and justice for all. She wanted liberty and justice for all,” Green said. “She was a person who connected with people on a personal level. She had great people skills, and those people skills made people love her. But that was part of the reciprocity of love that you get when you love people. She loved them. They loved her. And she will always be remembered.”

Congressman Green has worked alongside Congresswoman Lee since 2005, becoming friends.

However, even he was shocked to learn of her death on Friday.

“I was taken by surprise, even though I knew this transition could happen, that it was imminent, I still wasn’t ready for it,” he said.

During his 14 terms in Congress, spanning 29 years, Lee accomplished a lot. However, there is still work to be done.

Work for Houston. Work for Texas. And work for America.

“There’s still work to be done. The initiatives she’s taken are the ones we need to carry through,” Green said. “She’s run the race. She’s been well served. I guess she’s been given a good job, my good and faithful servant. It’s time for all of us to pick up the torch and carry through the next leg of the race.”