Mourners describe Sheila Jackson Lee as a dedicated public official

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

HOUSTON — Four days of events honoring the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee kicked off Monday morning as hundreds of mourners gathered at Houston City Hall to pay their respects in person.

The former municipal judge, City Council member and longtime Democratic member of Congress will lie in state in the City Hall rotunda all day Monday. Jackson Lee’s more than 30 years as an elected representative from Houston warranted Mayor John Whitmire bestowing her with the highest honor he possibly could, he said.

“This is a celebration,” Whitmire said. “God does not allow us to choose when we lose a loved one, or friend, or colleague, but he does allow us to celebrate their lives, and pay our respects, and honor them.”

Jackson Lee is only the second person to lie in state in City Hall.

Whitmire opened the proceedings Monday morning outside the City Hall steps alongside Jackson Lee’s family and other elected officials. The group then ushered into the rotunda, where they quietly stood in front of Jackson Lee’s casket as a Houston Symphony string quartet played “Amazing Grace.” The casket was draped with a U.S. flag and flanked by a Texas flag and a uniformed honor guard.

Jackson Lee’s family stayed after the ceremony to greet visitors. Outside, a line of mourners wrapped partially around the building.

“The congresswoman supported and celebrated all of our communities,” said Regina Graves, a 57-year-old who lives in Humble. “I remember something as small as a funeral for my sorority sister, she was there. She was a prominent and avid supporter of our community. She was at everything, and I honor that.”

Third Ward resident Phyillis Moss said Jackson Lee’s commitment to her district was obvious to anyone who watched her.

“Most politicians should aspire to be like Sheila Jackson Lee,” Moss said.

City, county and state officials attended Monday’s ceremony. President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Houston Monday afternoon to pay his respects.

Monday’s honor is the first of several services for Jackson Lee ahead of her Thursday morning funeral. A viewing and remembrance will be held at God’s Grace Community Church on Tuesday afternoon and a community farewell and appreciation service will be held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday.

Jackson Lee’s “Celebration of Life” service will be held at Fallbrook Church on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have all said they plan to attend Thursday’s service. Harris, the newly-minted presumptive Democratic nominee for president, will deliver a eulogy, according to the White House.

Jackson Lee represented Congressional District 18 for 30 years. During her career, she rose to the ranks of Democratic House of Representatives leadership and earned a reputation as a prolific public speaker and tireless worker on behalf of her district.

She ran for mayor in 2023, eventually losing to Whitmire in December.

“I got to see firsthand the passion, the dedication, the commitment to the people that she represented (and) across Houston,” Whitmire said. “She wasn’t going to let a redistricting line or a boundary line interfere with her voice.”

While services play out this week, behind the scenes local Democrats are jockeying for position in the contest to replace Jackson Lee as the Democratic nominee for Congressional District 18.

A vote by 88 precinct chairs to select the new nominee will take place in mid August. That person will almost certainly win the November general election in the heavily Democratic district. Former Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, At-Large Council member Leitia Plumber and former Council member Dwight Boykins have expressed interest in the seat, but most are waiting until after this week’s ceremonies are completed before making their announcements official.

This article first appeared on Houston Landing and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Big news: director and screenwriter Richard Linklater; NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher; U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California; and Luci Baines Johnson will take the stage at The Texas Tribune Festival, Sept. 5–7 in downtown Austin. Buy tickets today!