Texas Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee died on Friday following her battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 74.
Born in New York City and a graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia Law School, Jackson Lee represented the 18th District in the Houston area.
She served as the Democratic Chief Deputy Whip and also served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Appropriations committees, and was the lead sponsor of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which designates June 19 as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S.
Jackson Lee also served on the Public Works and Infrastructure Caucus, the Bike Caucus, was the co-chair of the Bipartisan Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Caucus, plus dozens of other Congressional groups.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Elwyn Lee; two children, Jason and Erica Lee; and two grandchildren, Ellison and Roy Carter.
APWA members and staff extend their condolences to the Lee family, her friends, colleagues, and staff.
