Sheila Jackson Lee, a veteran United States Congresswoman from Texas, has died at the age of 73.
Elected for the first time in 1995, the Democrat passed away on July 20, 2024. Details regarding the cause of her death remain undisclosed.
Throughout her tenure in Congress, she was an outspoken supporter of civil rights, education, and health services, contributing to multiple significant committees, including the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Before her congressional career, Jackson Lee served as a criminal defense attorney and a judge in Houston, Texas. In addition, she held a position as a professor at the University of Texas School of Law.
Born in Queens, New York, and raised in New York City, Jackson Lee completed her undergraduate studies at Yale University, followed by her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.
She leaves behind her husband, Elwyn Lee, and their two children.
Jackson Lee’s death marks a profound loss for both the Democratic Party and the citizens of Texas. Known for her dedicated service and advocacy, her impact and contributions will continue to resonate through the lives she influenced and the changes she implemented during her legislative service.
