Several days of events honoring the life of longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas are set to begin Monday, July 29, 2024, with the congresswoman lying in state at Houston City Hall.
The tribute to Jackson Lee, who passed away on July 19 at the age of 74 after battling pancreatic cancer, will include a series of memorials and public viewings.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Houston Monday evening to pay his respects.
“No matter the issue — from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people — she was unrelenting in her leadership,” Biden said in a statement following Jackson Lee’s death.
Jackson Lee’s body will lie in state in the rotunda of Houston’s city hall for 10 hours on Monday.
A prayer service led by Mayor John Whitmire, members of Jackson Lee’s family, and religious leaders will take place on the steps of city hall before the public viewing.
“For decades, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a dedicated fighter for Houstonians. I invite everyone to visit city hall to pay tribute to this true public servant and honor her unwavering commitment to our community,” Mayor Whitmire said.
Jackson Lee, who served on Houston’s city council from 1990 to 1994 before being elected to Congress in 1995, represented her Houston-based district for nearly three decades.
She is the second person to be honored by lying in state at Houston’s city hall rotunda, the first being renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey in 2008.
The congresswoman is also remembered for her significant contributions to social justice, including federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday.
She led the first rewrite of the Violence Against Women Act in nearly a decade, incorporating protections for Native American, transgender, and immigrant women.
Additional viewings and services are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, culminating in a funeral service on Thursday, which Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to attend.
Jackson Lee was a fierce advocate for women and minorities and a prominent leader for House Democrats on issues ranging from policing reform to reparations for descendants of enslaved people.
Despite facing a tough battle with cancer, she remained committed to her role, continuing to serve her community until her passing.
