Democratic Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who represented her constituents for more than 30 years, has passed away at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer, as announced by her family on Friday. Ms. Lee, who first won her Houston seat in 1994, served the 18th Congressional District of Texas, which had a black majority.
In June, Ms. Lee disclosed that she was battling pancreatic cancer. Her family released a statement expressing deep sorrow for their loss but also immense gratitude for the life she shared with them.
Born in Queens, New York, on Jan. 12, 1950, Ms. Lee was one of two children. Her mother, Ivalita Bennett Jackson, was a nurse who cared for premature infants, while her father, Ezra Clyde Jackson, was an artist for Marvel during World War II.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School, Ms. Lee and her husband moved to Texas, where she began her political career as a municipal judge and a member of the Houston City Council.
Known for her unwavering dedication to her constituents, Ms. Lee was described by her family as a fierce advocate for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special focus on women and children.
Throughout her career, Ms. Lee achieved significant legislative victories, serving as a senior member of the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget committees in the House of Representatives. She was also a founding member and chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus and the Congressional Children’s Caucus.
Ms. Lee’s leadership was instrumental in establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021 and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act in 2022. She was also a vocal critic of human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party.
Her family emphasized that while Ms. Lee will be dearly missed, her legacy will continue to inspire those who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy. Funeral arrangements for the congresswoman are pending.
Please rewrite this sentence.
Source link
