Joe Biden honors late Rep Sheila Jackson Lee, lauds her 'unrelenting' leadership for America's welfare

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden released a heartfelt statement honoring the late Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who died at the age of 74.

Describing her as a "great American," Biden reflected on Lee's nearly three-decade-long career in Congress.

Joe Biden's tribute to the late Sheila Jackson Lee

In his statement, Joe Biden paid tribute to Jackson Lee as he wrote, “Sheila Jackson Lee was a great American. I had the honor [of] working with her during her nearly 30 years in Congress."

“No matter the issue – from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people – she was unrelenting in her leadership," he continued.

"Always fearless, she spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace," Biden added, per The Hill.

How did Sheila Jackson Lee die?

On Saturday, July 20, Jackson Lee's family took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce her death, without specifying a cause.

Details of her funeral arrangements have also not been released yet.

This news of the Texas Democrat's death on Friday evening, July 19 comes after she revealed her pancreatic cancer diagnosis and shared that she had been undergoing treatment in June.

First elected to the House in 1994, Jackson Lee made significant contributions through her service on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget Committees.

The 74-year-old also served as the vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the chief deputy whip for the House Democrats.

One of Jackson Lee's notable achievements was introducing legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. Biden signed the legislation in 2021. 

"Her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy," read Jackson Lee's family's statement on X.

Joe Biden calls Sheila Jackson Lee a 'towering figure in our politics'

In his statement honoring Jackson Lee, Joe Biden highlighted the Texas Democrat's career milestones and her character traits.

"Those character traits established her as a towering figure in our politics,” said the president.

"We saw it through her efforts to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, make Juneteenth a federal holiday, reintroduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and so much more," he added.

The 81-year-old commander-in-chief emphasized that Jackson Lee is part of a long line of American patriots.

Through the statement, Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden extended their condolences to her family, constituents, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

“May God bless our friend, Sheila Jackson Lee,” the president concluded.