CONGRESSIONAL POWERHOUSE

By Shelley McKinley, AframNews
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
https://aframnews.com/

U.S Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee, representing the Texas 18th congressional district, was a fixture on the local, national, and world stages, championing progressive policies as well as engaging with the international community. She is more recently known for authoring and serving as the lead sponsor of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which established the first new federal holiday in 38 years which was signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

In May 2024, she reintroduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill that would create federal police reform by limiting the use of force and restrict the use of no-knock warrants, chokeholds, and carotid holds. It would also lower the criminal intent standard to convict a law enforcement officer for misconduct in a federal prosecution and limit qualified immunity as a defense to liability in a private civil action against a law enforcement officer. Jackson-Lee’s political career began in Houston, TX as a municipal judge from 1987 to 1990. She then went on to win an At-Large Houston City Council seat where she served from 1990 – 1994. In 1994, then Houston City Councilwoman Sheila Jackson Lee won her Congressional District seat and held that position through July 2024. For nearly 30 years Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee offered meaningful legislation and personable interactions with her constituents and governmental leaders alike.

In a statement from her family, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee is described as someone with a near-ubiquitous presence who took on courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, human rights, and special emphasis on women and children. Jack-son Lee served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees. At the time of her death, Sheila Jackson-Lee was a chief deputy whip for House Democrats and a vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She formerly served as whip of the Congressional Black Caucus. In President Biden’s statement he wrote, “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.”

According to Vice President Kamala Harris’ statement, “Sheila Jackson Lee was, first and foremost, a leader dedicated to serving the people of her beloved city. She secured critical funding for much-needed infrastructure upgrades, coordinated disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and helped to stand up testing and vaccination sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. No task was too small so long as it was the right thing to do. She was always fighting for the people of Houston and the people of America.” Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is survived by her husband Dr. Elwyn Lee, her children Jason Lee and Erica Lee Carter, and her grandchildren Ellison Bennett Carter and Roy Lee Carter, III. Her impact, however, extends throughout the world leaving a legacy of leadership and service.

THE HONORABLE CONGRESSWOMEN SHEILA JACKSON LEE

Th e Honorable Congresswomen Sheila
Jackson Lee was a great American, Leader, and Congresswomen. Always ready to speak truth to power and she represented the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace. Her character showed itself time and time again, including in her battle against cancer. Her spirit was unbreakable! She was still making ways to help others.

Cliff dale Baptist Church appreciates and honors you for everything you have done for our Church ministry, as well as the Acres Homes Community. No matter the issue, she was always working for the betterment of the people – she was unrelentless in her leadership and loved her community.

–Pastor Fred & Deborah Sanders Cliff dale Baptist Church