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Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to give a eulogy at a church in North Houston for U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, marking the end of several days of tributes for the long-serving lawmaker. The event will take place this Thursday.
Harris, who could potentially become the first Black female presidential candidate for a major party, will honor Jackson Lee, a leading African American figure in Congress known for crucial contributions such as enhancing protections against domestic violence and the establishment of Juneteenth as a national holiday.
Jackson Lee passed away on July 19 at the age of 74 due to pancreatic cancer. Former California Senator Harris praised her as one of the country’s most effective leaders in generating progressive change.
Memorials for Jackson Lee started this Monday at Houston’s City Hall, where her casket, draped in the American flag, was displayed and visited by many, including President Joe Biden who laid flowers and spent time with her family.
Additional memorial services were held on Tuesday and Wednesday at two different churches.
Jackson Lee, a Democrat, had served the Houston area and the fourth-largest city in the U.S. since her election in 1995. She first announced her diagnosis of breast cancer and later, on June 2, revealed she had pancreatic cancer.
Before her time in Congress, Jackson Lee was a member of the Houston City Council from 1990 to 1994. She quickly became known in Congress for her strong advocacy for women and minorities and her leadership on issues like police reform and reparations for slavery descendants. Her efforts led to significant updates to the Violence Against Women Act, providing increased protections for various vulnerable groups.
Throughout her political career, Jackson Lee was re-elected multiple times with strong support, although her recent run for the mayor’s office in Houston was unsuccessful.
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