Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, has died at the age of 74 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, her family announced on Friday.
“Today, with incredible grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas. A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children,” her family statement said.
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Jackson Lee announced in June that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee was a great American.
I had the honor of working with her during her nearly 30 years in Congress. No matter the issue – from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people – she was unrelenting in her leadership.
Always fearless, she spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace.
Those character traits established her as a towering figure in our politics. We saw it through her efforts to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, make Juneteenth a federal holiday, reintroduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and so much more.
Her character revealed itself time and again, including in her battle against cancer. Her brilliant spirit was unbreakable.
Sheila Jackson Lee is part of a long line of patriots who delivered the promise of America to all Americans.
Jill and I send our love and condolences to her family, her constituents, and beloved colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus.
May God bless our friend, Sheila Jackson Lee.
