It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shelia Jackson Lee, a Texas congresswoman who fought for the rights of African Americans for thirty years.
Lee passed away on Friday, according to a statement released by her family; however, the name of the cause of passing was not disclosed. During the time that they were mourning their loss, they expressed their deep appreciation for Lee’s journey through life.
Within the month of June, Lee made the announcement that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She also informed her people that she would be missing from Congress on occasion in order to get medical treatment.
Lee was a loyal Democrat who never shied away from speaking out on racial problems that affected people of African descent during her whole political career. She was born in Queens, New York. In the end, she relocated to Texas and joined the Houston City Council. In 1994, she was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where she ultimately served as a representative.
During the following thirty years, Lee served in the House of Representatives, where he was elected to represent the 18th congressional district of Texas, which included Houston and the regions around it. In addition to serving as a member of the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget committees, she also served as the head of the Judiciary Subcommittee for Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
In addition, Lee was the primary architect of the legislation that was passed in 2021 that designated Juneteenth as a federal holiday commemorating the independence of the United States of America from slavery.
Lee has been regarded as “a fierce advocate for social and economic justice, national and homeland security, energy independence, and children and working families,” according to the Congressional Black Caucus.