Jackson Lee Services are Held All Week in Houston

Four days of events honoring the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee began Monday morning as hundreds of mourners gathered at Houston City Hall to pay their respects in person.

The former municipal judge, City Council member and longtime Democratic congresswoman will lie in state in the City Hall rotunda all day Monday. Jackson Lee’s more than 30 years as an elected official in Houston warranted Mayor John Whitmire to bestow upon her the highest honor possible, he said.

“It’s a celebration,” Whitmire said. “God doesn’t allow us to choose when we lose a loved one, a friend or a colleague, but he allows us to celebrate their lives, to honor them and to honor them.”

Jackson Lee is only the second person to lie in state at City Hall.

Whitmire opened the ceremonies Monday morning on the steps of City Hall alongside Lee’s family and other elected officials. The group was then led into the rotunda, where they stood silently in front of Lee’s casket as a string quartet from the Houston Symphony Orchestra played “Amazing Grace.” The casket was draped in an American flag and flanked by a Texas flag and a uniformed honor guard.

Jackson Lee’s family stayed after the ceremony to greet visitors. Outside, a line of mourners formed part way around the building.

“The MP supported and celebrated all of our communities,” said Regina Graves, a 57-year-old from Humble. “I remember a small ceremony like my sorority sister’s funeral, she was there. She was a huge supporter of our community. She was there for everything, and I pay tribute to her.”

Third Ward resident Phyillis Moss said Jackson Lee’s commitment to her district was evident to anyone who watched her.

“Most politicians should aspire to be like Sheila Jackson Lee,” Moss said.

City, county and state officials attended Monday’s ceremony. President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Houston Monday afternoon to pay his respects.

Monday’s tribute is the first in a series of services for Jackson Lee before his funeral Thursday morning. A wake and memorial service will be held at God’s Grace Community Church Tuesday afternoon and a community farewell and appreciation service will be held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Wednesday.

Jackson Lee’s “Celebration of Life” service will be held at Fallbrook Church on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have all said they plan to attend Thursday’s ceremony. Kamala Harris, the new Democratic presidential nominee, will deliver a eulogy, according to the White House.

Jackson Lee represented the 18th Congressional District for 30 years. During her career, she rose through the ranks of House Democratic leadership and built a reputation as a prolific public speaker and tireless worker on behalf of her district.

She ran for mayor in 2023, ultimately losing to Whitmire in December.

“I saw firsthand the passion, dedication and commitment to the people she represented (and) across Houston,” Whitmire said. “She wasn’t going to let a redistricting line or a dividing line interfere with her voice.”

As services unfold this week, behind the scenes, local Democrats are scrambling to position themselves in the race to replace Jackson Lee as the Democratic nominee for the 18th Congressional District.

A vote by all 88 precinct chairs to select the new candidate will take place in mid-August. That person will almost certainly win the November general election in the heavily Democratic district. Former Mayor Sylvester Turner, State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, City Councilwoman Leitia Plumber and former City Councilman Dwight Boykins have expressed interest in the seat, but most are waiting until after this week’s ceremonies before making their official announcements.

Related