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Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Dies at 74 After Cancer Battle

Ms. Lee, who was first elected to her Houston seat in 1994, revealed that she had pancreatic cancer in June.

Chi H. by Chi H.
July 19, 2024
in Politics
0
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee Dies at 74 After Cancer Battle

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) speaks at a press conference calling for the expansion of the Supreme Court, in Washington on July 18, 2022. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Take Back the Court Action Fund)

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Original article on The Epoch Times

By Caden Pearson
Updated: 7/19/2024

Democratic Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represented her constituents for more than 30 years, has died after a battle with cancer, her family announced on Friday. She was 74.

Ms. Lee, who was first elected to her Houston seat in 1994, revealed that she had pancreatic cancer in June.

“Today, with incredible grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas,” the Democratic congresswoman’s family said in a statement.

Ms. Lee’s family described her as a fierce champion of the people who were known to her constituents for her near-ubiquitous presence and service for more than 30 years.

“A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children,” the statement by Ms. Lee’s family said.

Ms. Lee’s family highlighted and honored her legislative victories.

In 2021, the congresswoman led legislation establishing June 19 as a federal holiday known as Juneteenth, memorializing the end of slavery in the United States. In 2022, she championed a bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act after it expired in 2019, providing domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking protections for women and expanding it.

Ms. Lee was also vocal in her opposition to human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party, having spoken publicly at rallies held annually around July 20 commemorating the date the regime launched its persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice whose adherents live by the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

In one rousing public speech, she said the persecution, based on faith, called for a “response.” “We must stop the crimes against decent and loving people,” she said.

Ms. Lee previously told The Epoch Times’ sister media company, NTD, that the world should work together to end forced organ harvesting in China, a practice that’s “inhumane” and “undermining human dignity.”

The congresswoman’s family said the people she impacted the most were her family.

“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy. God bless you, Congresswoman, and God bless the United States of America,” their statement concluded.

Funeral arrangements for the congresswoman have yet to be made.

Tags: cancerFalun GongREP Sheila Jackson
Chi H.

Chi H.

As a Houstonian, I report on crtitical news and inspiring stories from the state of Texas. Before joining The Texas Insider, I worked at NTD Television as a news reporter and wrote for different publications.

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