Longtime Democratic congresswoman from Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee has died. She was 74.
An outspoken advocate for criminal justice, human rights and racial justice, Rep. Jackson Lee worked for decades on her mission, speaking up for Black Americans.
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In a statement from her office, it said Jackson Lee was "a fierce champion for the people" as she served her district for over 30 years.
The statement said "her legislative victories impacted millions, from establishing the Juneteenth federal holiday to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act."
Her office called her a "beloved wife, sister, mother" and grandmother, and wrote that "she will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy."
House Speaker Mike Johnson said, "Sheila and I served together on the Judiciary Committee for seven years. While we rarely agreed on policy, I always enjoyed our spirited debates about law and policy, and I counted her as a friend."
Vice President Kamala Harris said Jackson Lee "distinguished herself as a dedicated advocate for her community, an effective legislator, and a fiercely loyal colleague and friend."
President Joe Biden said Jackson Lee was "was unrelenting in her leadership."
The president said the decades-long member of Congress "spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace."
