FILE - Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, D-Texas, speaks during a House Judiciary Committee meeting, Dec. 13, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Longtime U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who helped lead federal efforts to protect women from domestic violence and recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday, has died Friday, July 19, 2024, after battling pancreatic cancer, according to her chief of staff. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool, File)

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By ReShonda Tate
The Defender

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee died at 74, her family announced Friday night (July 19). An apologetic champion for her constituents, the longtime Congresswoman served the public for more than 30 years.

“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,” a statement from her family said.

Last month, Jackson Lee announced she was fighting pancreatic cancer. In a statement, Jackson Lee said she was undergoing treatment to battle the disease “that impacts tens of thousands of Americans every year.”

“She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and democracy. God bless you Congresswoman and God bless the United States of America,” Jackson Lee’s family said.

This article was reprinted with permission from The Houston Defender.