Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat from Texas, passed away at the age of 74 after battling cancer. Her family announced her death on Friday, expressing grief but also gratitude for her life and contributions. Jackson Lee was known as a local, national, and international humanitarian, fighting for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a focus on women and children.
She announced her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in June and was undergoing treatment. Jackson Lee had served in the House since 1995 and leaves behind a legacy of pushing for civil rights legislation. She was the lead sponsor of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act and supported the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 and the George Floyd Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act. She also introduced legislation for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022.
Born in Queens, New York, Jackson Lee was a graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia Law School. She worked as a lawyer in private practice and as a staff counsel for the House Select Committee on Assassinations before serving in Houston’s government. She was a member of the City Council and municipal judge before being elected to Congress.
Jackson Lee’s family expressed that she will be dearly missed but her legacy will continue to inspire those who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy. Funeral arrangements for the congresswoman are pending.
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