Sheila Jackson Lee
Sheila Jackson Lee | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 18th district | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – July 19, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Craig Washington |
| Succeeded by | Erica Lee Carter |
| Member of the Houston City Council from the at-large district | |
| In office January 2, 1990 – January 3, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Hall |
| Succeeded by | John Peavy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sheila Jackson January 12, 1950 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 19, 2024 (aged 74) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Elwyn Lee (m. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Yale University (BA) University of Virginia (JD) |
| Website | House website |
Sheila Jackson Lee (January 12, 1950 – July 19, 2024) was an American politician. She was a member of the House of Representatives for almost 30 years, starting in 1995. She represented Texas' 18th congressional district. The district includes Greater Houston. She was a member of the U.S. Democratic Party.[2] She unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Houston in 2023.
Political career
She was born in New York City, but her political career began in Houston, Texas.
Jackson Lee first became a member of the Houston City Council in 1990. She was so until 1994.[3]
Jackson Lee was active on immigration issues. She proposed increasing border security and increasing legalization for "illegal" immigrants living in the United States.[4] She also supported LGBT rights.
In March 2023, Jackson Lee announced that she would run for mayor of Houston in the 2023 election.[5] In November 2023, she advanced to a runoff with State Senator John Whitmire. She lost the runoff on December 9, 2023.
Death
In June 2024, Jackson Lee announced that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.[6][7] She died at a hospital in Houston on July 19, 2024, at the age of 74.[8][9] She was replaced by her daughter, Erica Lee Carter, in the U.S. House.[10]
References
- ↑ "Congressional Directory for the 116th Congress (2019–2020), July 2020. [Page 263]". GovInfo. July 22, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ↑ "Sheila Jackson Lee". House.gov. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Sheila Jackson Lee". Vote Smart. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ↑ "Texas Democrat Gets Praise for Immigration Efforts". Gov Exec. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
- ↑ Svitek, Patrick (2023-03-27). "U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is running for Houston mayor". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
- ↑ Hao, Claire. "Sheila Jackson Lee announces she has pancreatic cancer". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ Jones II, Arthur. "Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee diagnosed with pancreatic cancer". ABC News. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ↑ Shen, Michelle (July 20, 2024). "Sheila Jackson Lee, long-serving Democratic congresswoman and advocate for Black Americans, dies at 74". CNN. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ↑ Langer, Emily (July 19, 2024). "Sheila Jackson Lee, outspoken Texas congresswoman, dies at 74". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
- ↑ Terry, Christian (November 10, 2024). "'I am honored': Daughter of Sheila Jackson Lee to be sworn in Tuesday to finish mother's term in Congress". Click2Houston.