(AURN News) — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a long-serving Democrat from Texas’s 18th Congressional District, has died, according to a statement released by her family on Friday. Jackson Lee, known for her passionate advocacy on issues of racial justice, criminal justice reform, and human rights, served in Congress for over 30 years. In an interview with AURN News, her former Deputy Chief of Staff, Shashrina Thomas, described her as “the conscience of the Congress” who acted daily as “an advocate for the underserved constituents of Houston’s historic Third Ward, and all those similarly situated across the nation.”
“The Congresswoman represented her family and her country proudly passionately and effectively, she fought the good fight. As it is written in 2nd Timothy, she finished the race, but most importantly, she maintained the faith in God,” Thomas said.
Photo courtesy of Shashrina Thomas
“I’m grateful to her and her family, for sharing her with the world, for fighting the fight in Congress, and standing strong every moment, to make sure women’s rights were on the table… human rights were on the table, and that there was a fair social and criminal justice system, across the board, specifically, for African American people,” she added.
Thomas also highlighted Jackson Lee’s legislative accomplishments, stating, “She was directly responsible for crafting more than 200 pieces of legislation, 184 of which became law.” Among her notable achievements were helping to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
“The congresswoman deserves our gratitude for a life of public service and dedication to exactly that: the values of women’s rights, fairness, equality, and justice,” Thomas said.
First elected in 1994, Jackson Lee was particularly noted for her focus on issues affecting women and children. Thomas recalled how the congresswoman ensured that “women and children were not forgotten” in policy discussions, especially regarding public service and first responders. Jackson Lee also played a significant role in healthcare legislation. Thomas noted her position as “the lead policy negotiator for the Affordable Care Act,” which included provisions to expand access to healthcare for underserved communities.
“Congressman Louis Stokes gave me my wings to fly. The Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, taught me how to fly,” Thomas told AURN News.
The statement from Jackson Lee’s family emphasized her impact both as a public servant and as a beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother. They noted that while she will be deeply missed, “her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Further reading: Congresswoman’s Extended 2020 Interview with AURN News at the Capitol
Personal Reflection
As a journalist, I rarely include personal experiences in my reporting. However, Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s passing compels me to share my interactions with her over the years.
I first met her in 2013 while working as a Communications Director on Capitol Hill. From that time until her passing, she consistently supported me as a person, a journalist, and a Black man in America. She was a staunch advocate for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), always making time to address Black America through our platform.
Photo courtesy of Shashrina Thomas
During our interviews, she frequently emphasized the crucial role of AURN News in covering issues facing the Black community that are often overlooked by mainstream media. Our last public interaction was in September 2023 at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, where I moderated an event she hosted. Even then, she spoke passionately about the importance of Black media in our country and expressed gratitude to AURN and me personally.
Her unwavering support for Black journalists and media outlets underscored her commitment to ensuring diverse voices were heard in the national political conversations.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
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