US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas to Lie in State at Houston City Hall
HOUSTON (AP) — A series of events honoring the life and legacy of longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas commenced Monday, with the congresswoman lying in state at Houston’s city hall. President Joe Biden is scheduled to arrive in Houston Monday evening to pay his respects, highlighting Jackson Lee's unwavering commitment to social justice and community service.
“No matter the issue — from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people — she was unrelenting in her leadership,” Biden stated following Jackson Lee’s passing. The congresswoman, who was 74 when she died on July 19 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, was a prominent figure in federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday.
Her body will lie in state in the rotunda of Houston's city hall for 10 hours on Monday. Jackson Lee represented her Houston-based district and the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1995. She had previously battled breast cancer and announced her pancreatic cancer diagnosis on June 2.
Mayor John Whitmire, alongside members of Jackson Lee’s family and local religious leaders, is expected to lead a prayer service on the steps of city hall Monday morning before the rotunda opens to the public. “For decades, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a dedicated fighter for Houstonians. I invite everyone to visit city hall to pay tribute to this true public servant and honor her unwavering commitment to our community,” Whitmire remarked.
Before her election to Congress, Jackson Lee served on Houston’s city council from 1990 to 1994. She is only the second individual to be honored by lying in state in Houston’s city hall rotunda, following renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey, who passed away in 2008.
In addition to lying in state, Jackson Lee will be remembered at viewings and services on Tuesday and Wednesday, culminating in her funeral on Thursday, which Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to attend.
After her election, Jackson Lee quickly emerged as a fierce advocate for women and minorities, leading House Democrats on various social justice issues, including policing reform and reparations for descendants of enslaved people. She spearheaded the first rewrite of the Violence Against Women Act in nearly a decade, which expanded protections for Native American, transgender, and immigrant women.
Jackson Lee consistently won reelection to Congress with ease, although she faced a setback in her recent bid for Houston's mayor. Her legacy as a dedicated public servant and champion for her community will be remembered by many.
Follow Juan A. Lozano on X: @juanlozano70