Thursday, August 1st marks the last day of a week of remembrance for the late U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, a longtime Democrat congresswoman who’s worked for progressive causes in the past 30 years. She passed away at 74 on July 19 while battling pancreatic cancer.
Several memorial services for the Congresswoman were held this week, drawing many community members and officials to honor her legacy. Jackson Lee was only the second person to lie in state at the Houston City Hall.
Many lawmakers and politicians attended and delivered speeches at the Celebration of Life service on Thursday, including VP Kamala Harris, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Harris described Jackson Lee as a “fierce champion for justice.”
“She truly was a force of nature,” said the Vice President, “when it came to her constituents, there was no task too big or too small for the congresswoman. If it needed to be done, she made sure it was done and done right.”
During her speech, Harris, now the Democratic presidential candidate, accidentally called herself the “President,” but quickly corrected herself.
According to The Epoch Times, Jackson Lee also advocated against human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She had publicly supported the spiritual group Falun Gong in their efforts to counter the CCP’s persecution and forced organ harvesting practices.
Jackson Lee is survived by her husband, Elwyn Lee, their two adult children, Erica Lee Carter and Jason Lee, as well as two grandchildren.
