Houston City Hall has opened its doors for a solemn occasion, as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lies in state, becoming only the second individual to be honored in this manner. Previously, this rare tribute was given to Dr. Michael DeBakey, a renowned heart surgeon. Throughout the day, a steady stream of Houstonians has gathered to bid farewell and pay their respects to the late Congresswoman.
Starting at 9 a.m., a diverse group of supporters, including both constituents and colleagues, assembled to honor her memory. Her family, consisting of her husband, Dr. Elwyn Lee, and their two adult children, Erica and Jason Lee, stood by her side. Among those attending the special ceremony were notable figures such as Tina Knowles and Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
Sheila Jackson Lee, a beloved and long-serving Congresswoman, was known for her unwavering dedication to her community and her efforts to improve the lives of countless individuals. After her passing on July 19, 2024, following a battle with pancreatic cancer, her casket, draped with the American flag, was placed in the rotunda of city hall.
Jackson Lee’s impressive academic background includes a degree from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. Before her congressional career, she served as a member of the Houston City Council. Vice President Kamala Harris, reflecting on their relationship, described Jackson Lee as a cherished friend and fellow member of both the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Congressional Black Caucus. In a statement, Harris praised Jackson Lee’s tenacity and intelligence, highlighting her strategic approach to enacting meaningful change and her lifelong commitment to the people of Houston and the nation.
Upon being elected to the Houston district once represented by Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from a Southern state since Reconstruction, Jackson Lee was promptly appointed to the influential House Judiciary Committee in 1995.
Her reputation as a staunch advocate for women and minorities quickly solidified, and she became a leading voice for House Democrats on numerous social justice issues, including police reform and reparations for the descendants of enslaved people. Notably, she spearheaded the first comprehensive update of the Violence Against Women Act in nearly a decade, which expanded protections for Native American, transgender, and immigrant women.
Jackson Lee also played a pivotal role in the campaign to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday, a milestone achieved in 2021. This holiday commemorates the moment in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom.
Born in Queens, New York, Jackson Lee pursued higher education at Yale and obtained her law degree from the University of Virginia. Her career in public service began as a judge in Houston, followed by her election to the Houston City Council in 1989. In 1994, she won a seat in Congress, where she championed gay rights and voiced opposition to the Iraq War in 2003. News of her passing prompted swift reactions from top congressional Democrats, who lauded her dedication and tireless work ethic. At the age of 74, Sheila Jackson Lee left behind a legacy of advocacy and leadership.