(Reuters) – U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a strong progressive voice within the Democratic Celebration who campaigned on African-American and girls’s rights, has died, her household introduced late on Friday. Be forthright on points.
Jackson Lee of Texas introduced final month that she had pancreatic most cancers and was present process therapy. In keeping with US media stories, she is 74 years outdated.
“The street forward won’t be straightforward, however I belief God to strengthen me,” she stated when asserting her prognosis.
“She was a staunch advocate for the individuals, affectionately generally known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her almost ubiquitous presence and contribution to their day by day lives for greater than 30 years,” her household stated in a press release. Serve.
All through her profession, she has actively promoted laws that addresses social justice, financial inequality, and public well being points.
Jackson Lee, who represents a part of Houston, has launched laws within the Home of Representatives that might make Juneteenth a federal vacation to commemorate the top of authorized slavery for black Individuals.
The vacation marks the day in 1865 when a Union normal knowledgeable a bunch of enslaved individuals in Texas that that they had been freed two years earlier after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation throughout the Civil Battle.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a conservative Republican, posted on X that his spouse “Cecilia and I’ll all the time bear in mind Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.” .
“She was a proud Texan and a tireless advocate for the individuals of Houston. Her legacy of public service and dedication to Texas will proceed,” Abbott stated.
Jackson Lee has served on a number of Home committees, together with the Judiciary, Homeland Safety and Price range committees.
