00:00Today is Saturday, July 20, 2024.
00:04Sheila Jackson Lee, longtime Texas congresswoman and progressive advocate, dies at 74.
00:11Washington Sheila Jackson Lee, a stalwart Houston Democrat and one of the longest-serving
00:16members of Texas congressional delegation, passed away on Friday at the age of 74.
00:23The seasoned lawmaker had announced her battle with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.
00:28Jackson Lee, renowned for her unwavering commitment to progressive causes, began her congressional
00:34career in 1994 by defeating four-term U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in a Democratic primary.
00:42Over the years, she became a fixture in Congress and a notable figure in Houston, known for
00:47her strong connections within the Democratic Party.
00:51A prominent advocate on Capitol Hill, Jackson Lee was an early opponent of the Iraq War
00:56and a staunch supporter of gay rights.
00:59Her activism was evident in 2021 when she was arrested for civil disobedience over a
01:04federal voting rights bill.
01:07By the time of her death, she held senior positions on the House Judiciary, Homeland
01:12Security and Budget committees.
01:15Her dynamic presence on the House floor and in front of cameras underscored her dedication
01:19to the causes she championed.
01:22The 18th Congressional District, which includes downtown Houston, Jackson Lee was a familiar
01:28face at local events, from graduations to funerals and baby showers.
01:33Her persistence and chutzpah were instrumental in securing federal funds for Houston.
01:39In 2009, she successfully obtained $1 billion for the city�s light rail system by lobbying
01:45then-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood ahead of President Barack Obama�s joint address
01:50to Congress.
01:52�Sheila is, a real combative advocate, in my opinion,� said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone,
01:59a New Jersey Democrat, in 2017.
02:04When she believes in an issue or in a person she goes to bat.
02:08Her illness, however, increasingly kept her at home this year, leading her to miss numerous
02:13votes in May and June.
02:16Despite her health challenges, Jackson Lee remained active in politics, even announcing
02:21a run for Houston mayor last year.
02:24The campaign faced turmoil after a leaked tape revealed her berating staff, contributing
02:29to her loss against former state Sen. John Whitmire.
02:34Jackson Lee also faced a competitive primary challenge from Amanda Edwards, a former intern
02:39in her office.
02:41Despite this, she secured endorsements from key Democratic figures, including President
02:46Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack
02:51Obama, ultimately winning the primary by a significant margin.
02:56Born in Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale University in 1972 and the University
03:03of Virginia Law School in 1975.
03:07She moved to Houston following her husband Elwynn Lee�s appointment at the University
03:10of Houston.
03:12Before her congressional career, she served on the Houston City Council.
03:17In Congress, Jackson Lee built strong alliances within her party, campaigning for leadership
03:23positions and advocating for her colleagues.
03:26She played a significant role in supporting Nancy Pelosi�s leadership and served as
03:30one of the ten deputies to House Minority Whip Katharine Clark.
03:35Her influence was recognized when she became the first female ranking member of the Judiciary
03:40Subcommittee for Crime and Federal Government Surveillance.
03:44Prominent figures paid tribute to Jackson Lee late Friday.
03:48Rodney Ellis, a longtime state senator and Harris County commissioner, praised her dedication,
03:54through crises and disasters, as well as triumphs, �Sheila�s ceaseless and unwavering dedication
04:00to those she represented served as an inspiration and source of strength to me in my career.�
04:06Former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner highlighted her impact on the community, her work on
04:11the ground, in some of the poorest and under-resourced communities, the channeling of billions of
04:16federal dollars back to her district, her presence at someone�s bedside, giving words
04:22of comfort to families who lost loved ones, her appearances at places of worship and events
04:27showcasing the global diversity of our city, and her uncanny ability to be everywhere,
04:33working every day for those who needed a champion, made her truly exceptional.
04:39Jackson Lee followed in the footsteps of trailblazers like Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland, who
04:44previously held the 18th Congressional District seat.
04:48Despite facing criticism for her demanding nature and high staff turnover, she remained
04:53steadfast in her mission to serve her constituents.
04:57Reflecting on her career, Jackson Lee acknowledged the challenges she faced, �I�m a woman
05:02of a certain era,� she told the Tribune in 2017. �I think I�ve been a victim of
05:08discrimination, sexism, and even racism, frankly. I do the work in this office. I do it quietly
05:16and consistently, and I check off the boxes of who�s being helped and who�s in need.�
05:22Sheila Jackson Lee�s legacy as a dedicated public servant and advocate for progressive
05:26causes will be remembered by many.
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