Biden lavishes praise on late Sheila Jackson Lee: ‘Always fearless’

President Biden released a statement honoring Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who died Friday evening at 74, calling her a “great American” who was “always fearless.”

“Sheila Jackson Lee was a great American. I had the honor or working with her during her nearly 30 years in Congress,” Biden wrote. “No matter the issue – from delivering racial justice to building an economy for working people – she was unrelenting in her leadership.”

The president added, “always fearless, she spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace.”

Jackson Lee’s family announced her death in a statement on social media platform X, but did not specify a cause. The news comes just over a month after the Texas Democrat announced she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had been undergoing treatment.

She was first elected to the House in 1994. Jackson Lee served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees. She also was chief deputy whip for the House Democrats and a vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

The Texas Democrat introduced legislation, which Biden signed in 2021, that made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

In his statement, Biden highlighted several other career moments and character traits of Jackson Lee.

“Those character traits established her as a towering figure in our politics,” Biden said. “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.”

The president said she is part of a long line of American patriots and he and the first lady, Jill Biden, send condolences to her family, constituents and members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

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

Many members of Congress also released statements honoring Jackson Lee’s legacy.