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Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a longtime Texas Democrat who championed progressive policies, has died at age 74 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Her family announced her death in a statement on Friday. “A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children,” her family said.
Jackson Lee had said last month that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.
News of her death led to an outpouring of condolences from Democrats and Republicans. Rep. Nancy Pelosi called her a “powerful voice for our Constitution and human rights.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said she was a “proud Texan and a tireless advocate for the people of Houston.”
Jackson Lee was first elected to Congress in 1994, and she went on to serve nearly 30 years in the House. She ran for Houston mayor in 2023 and lost in a bruising primary, but she announced her bid for Texas’ 18th Congressional District again shortly after and won.
In Congress, Jackson Lee was as a champion for criminal justice reform and reparations for Black Americans. She led the push to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, as well as a rewrite of the Violence Against Women Act to include protections for marginalized groups.
She was a household name in her district, The Texas Tribune reported, often attending local graduations, funerals and baby showers.
In an interview with local news station KPRC 2 in 2020, Jackson Lee said she hoped to leave behind a legacy of helping others.
“If you were in a ditch, I want my story to be that I tried to help you,” she said, “and in many instances, I was successful in helping you and giving back.”
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