Lang-time U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas died at the age of 74.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas who is the D-Rep. She led efforts across the nation to protect domestic abuse victims abuse as well as to declare the date of Juneteenth an official holiday for the nation. She admitted to having the pancreatic cancer disease in June.

Jul 20, 2024 01:48 AM

Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee from Texas attends a House Judiciary Committee meeting on the 13th day of December. 13th of December, 2019 13th, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Patrick Semansky/AP pool conceal caption

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Patrick Semansky/AP Pool

long-time U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas Sheila Jackson Lee, who was the leader of national efforts to safeguard women victims of domestic violence, and who was instrumental in the establishment of the Juneteenth day as an official national day, died. deceased. Her age was 74.

Lillie Conley, the Chief of Staff has confirmed her Chief of Staff, Lillie Conley. Conley has revealed the fact that Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer passed away inside Houston Friday night, surrounded by their family and loved ones surrounding her.

The Democrat was the representative from Houston for her district. It was the fourth-largest metropolitan region since. She had been confirmed with breast cancer. She revealed the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on June 2.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me,” Jackson Lee said in a statement made at that time.

Bishop James Dixon, a longtime acquaintance from Houston who visited Jackson Lee earlier this week and told him he’ll be able to recall her for her battle.

“She was a very rare precious jewel of a woman who tirelessly offered everything she could to make sure that everyone were provided with what they required. This is Sheila,” said the man.

Jackson Lee had just been elected to the Houston district, which previously comprised of Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from the Southern State since Reconstruction and was immediately appointed to the widely-publicized House Judiciary Committee in 1995.

“They just saw me, I guess through my profile, through Barbara Jordan’s work,” Jackson Lee told the Houston Chronicle in 2022. “I considered it to be an honor, because they thought that I would be the one they were looking for. “

Jackson Lee quickly established herself as a passionate advocate for women and minorities and was an active leader for House Democrats in a wide range of issues of justice that affected all people, ranging to reforming police forces to seeking redress for descendants of slaves. She was the chief architect of the first revision to the Violence Against Women Act in more than 10 years. It also contained provisions designed for Native American, transgender and women from immigrants.

Jackson Lee was also one of the lawmakers who pushed to make Juneteenth an official holiday that was the first one to be recognized as a national holiday after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established in 1986. This holiday was the year when the last slaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were granted their right to liberty.

An ancestor of Queens, New York, Jackson Lee graduated from Yale and later obtained her law degree at The University of Virginia. She worked as lawyer in Houston prior to her election as a member of council members of the Houston City Council in the close 1989. She was then elected to Congress in 1994. The congresswoman was also a prominent advocate for the gay rights movement and was a prominent opponent of during the Iraq War in 2003.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas is out in support of Democratic laws to limit the use of guns, known as”the Protecting Our Kids Act in the aftermath of the mass shootings that took place throughout Texas and New York. Texas in Texas and New York, at the Capitol in Washington on June 2nd, 2022. J. Scott Applewhite/AP conceal caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

The most powerful congressional Democrats have reacted quickly to the news Friday night, praising her commitment and hard work.

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina described her as “a persistent champion for human rights” and a relentless fighter who is dedicated to making a difference in life of those she represents. “

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland stated that he’s never seen an elected official more committed to their job than Jackson Lee, saying she “studied every bill and amendment in detail and then informed Texas as well as America exactly what she believed in. “

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California cited Jackson Lee’s “relentless determination” in getting the Juneteenth holiday declared national holiday.

“As a powerful voice in the Congress for our Constitution and human rights, she fought tirelessly to advance fairness, equity and justice for all,” Pelosi declared.

Republican Texas Governor. Greg Abbott said he as well as his spouse Cecilia will forever be remembered in honor of Jackson Lee, calling her an “tireless advocate” for Houstonians.” Houston. “

“Her legacy of public service and dedication to Texas will live on,” stated the governor.

Jackson Lee routinely won the reelection vote to Congress effortlessly. When she had to compete with opposition, she never received less than two-thirds in the vote. Jackson Lee was contemplating going out of Congress in 2023 to make option to be Houston’s first Black mayor however she lost in a runoff. Then she was able to win victory for the Democratic nomination in 2024’s general election.

In the mayoral election, Jackson Lee expressed regret and declared the fact that “everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect” following the release of a false audio recording that is believed to be from the lawmaker who is said to be berating staff members.

The year of 2019, Jackson Lee stepped down from two leadership positions in the House Judiciary Committee and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation which is the foundation that helps raise funds in support of the Congressional Black Caucus, following a lawsuit brought by a former employee who claimed her sexual assault complaint was not properly handled.

In an announcement, the Jackson Lee family Jackson Lee said she was loved mother of the family, wife, and grandmother, who was nicknamed Bebe.

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