Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to be bestowed the highest honor of lying in state at Houston City Hall in recognition of her significant contributions to the City of Houston and her dedicated service to her constituents. To read more, go to https://t.co/2Tcgw8lEde pic.twitter.com/D5qXS8L4T5
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) July 27, 2024
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Houston this week to pay their respects to the late U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. The White House announced their plans to honor the 74-year-old Democrat who passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. Jackson Lee was known for her strong advocacy of progressive causes and was one of the longest-serving members of the Texas congressional delegation.
SCOOP: VP Kamala Harris will fly to Houston on Thursday to attend funeral services for longtime Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died this month. The two were dear friends who bonded over their work as elected officials and as members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. https://t.co/aPsVYEjYyi
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) July 27, 2024
Vice President Harris called her a “dear friend” and praised her work on disaster relief after Hurricane Harvey and her efforts to support women’s rights. Harris said, “Sheila Jackson Lee was, first and foremost, a leader dedicated to serving the people of her beloved city. No task was too small as long as it was the right thing to do.”
CONFIRMED: President Joe Biden will be in Houston on Monday to pay his respects to the late Sheila Jackson Lee who died on July 19 at the age of 74 after battling pancreatic cancer.
https://t.co/h4e2uzp4hF via @houstonchron pic.twitter.com/Z4WJ3zSO5y
— Jeremy Wallace (@JeremySWallace) July 28, 2024
Both Harris and Jackson Lee were members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and worked together on many pieces of legislation, including the law that made Juneteenth a national holiday.
On Monday, Biden will go to Houston City Hall where Jackson Lee is lying in state. Harris plans to attend and give a eulogy at Jackson Lee’s homegoing service on Thursday at Fallbrook Church.
Biden and Harris honor Jackson Lee
NEW: Confirmed that former President @BillClinton, former Secretary of State @HillaryClinton and former House @SpeakerPelosi also expected in Houston to pay respects to Sheila Jackson Lee on Thursday.https://t.co/h4e2uzp4hF via @houstonchron
— Jeremy Wallace (@JeremySWallace) July 28, 2024
The service will be livestreamed. Biden and Harris are not expected to be in Houston at the same time. This will be Harris’ third visit to Texas in a month.
She recently spoke to members of Alpha Kappa Alpha at their annual convention in Dallas and got an update on recovery efforts after Hurricane Beryl in Houston. Biden’s Monday visit will happen after he gives a speech at the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library to mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which had to be rescheduled.
Both Biden and Harris spoke highly of Jackson Lee’s commitment to public service. They said they want to honor her legacy through their visits and speeches.
