HOUSTON — Vice President Kamala Harris will be back in Houston, Thursday to attend the Celebration of Life Service for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. This will be Harris' second visit to the Bayou City this month and her third time in Texas.
After Lee passed, Harris called her “a tenacious advocate for justice and a tireless fighter for the people of Houston and the people of America,” the White House said in a statement to KHOU 11. The vice president said Lee was “a dear friend for many years, and a fellow member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I had the opportunity to work closely with her on many issues and to observe her leadership firsthand. She was relentless – one of our nation’s fiercest, smartest, and most strategic leaders in the way she thought about how to make progress happen. There was never a trite or trivial conversation with the Congresswoman. She was always fighting for the people of Houston and the people of America.”
Harris was in Houston Wednesday to visit the city’s Emergency Operations Center following Hurricane Beryl. Thursday she delivered the keynote speech at the American Federation of Teachers’ 88th national convention held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Harris was also in Dallas to deliver a keynote speech at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 71st Boulé in early July.
Lee passed away Friday, July 19, at the age of 74. She will be honored net week by the city she served for more than 30 years.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced Jackson Lee will lie in state in City Hall on Monday, July 29, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The public will be allowed to pay their final respects and sign a book of condolence following a brief prayer service with Jackson Lee's family, city leaders and faith leaders. There will be a combined Honor Guard representing the Houston Police Department and Houston Fire Department.
The office of Congresswoman Jackson Lee sent out details for more remembrance.
On Tuesday, July 30, there will be a viewing at God’s Grace Community Church at 9944 West Montgomery Road from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 31, there will be a viewing from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church at 3826 Wheeler Avenue, followed by a service there that will run from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Then on Thursday, August 1, there will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. at Fallbrook Church. That's at 12512 Walters Road in Houston. The congresswoman's office said this service is by invitation only.
Gov. Greg Abbott has approved Mayor Whitmire's request to lower the flags to half-staff on City Hall and municipal buildings from Monday, July 29, to Thursday, Aug. 1.
KHOU 11 is working to find out which services will be open to the public. We'll update as we know more.
"This is a time for unity across Houston as we honor her life and legacy. Although we were opponents in the recent mayoral race, we shared a long history of collaboration spanning over 30 years," Whitmire said in a statement. "Despite our different styles, we consistently worked towards the same goals, advocating for the issues that matter most to Houstonians."
Jackson Lee began her political career as a City of Houston municipal court judge. She then served on the Houston City Council before being elected to represent the 18th Congressional District of Texas in 1994.
"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," Jackson Lee's family said in a statement following her death.
The Congresswoman had a hand in several legislative victories over the decades, including establishing the Juneteenth Federal Holiday and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
"For decades, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a dedicated fighter for Houstonians," Whitmire said.
He cited her "unwavering commitment" to the community as the reason she will be bestowed the rare honor of lying in state in Houston City Hall.
Legendary heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey was the only other Houstonian to receive the honor when he died in 2008.