The Houston City Council unanimously voted to initiate the renaming of George Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal E after late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Public speakers and council members discussed Lee’s advocacy for her constituents in Texas’ 18th Congressional District and her political legacy. Lee died in July at 74.
Terminal E is located in the district she represented for over thirty years and secured more than $125 million for its expansion.
Houston has long followed the tradition of honoring public servants who served the city. Terminal C is named after Houston’s former Mayor, Lewis Wesley Cutrer, and Terminal D after former U.S. Rep. Mickey Leland, who coincidentally also represented the 18th Congressional District.
Led by Edward Pollard, Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum and Council Members Tiffany D. Thomas, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Abby Kamin, Sallie Alcorn, Tarsha Jackson, and Letitia Plummer submitted a resolution under Proposition A to rename the terminal after Lee.
“The Congresswoman has made countless contributions on behalf of the city at the state, national and international level. Her sacrifices and commitment to the 18th Congressional District, and the greater Houston area, has left a tremendous legacy deserving this dedication,” the letter read.
What the council said
City Attorney Arturo Michel said the formal process of renaming a terminal, which is a city facility, includes several steps before the council can take a final vote.
The executive order for the naming of city facilities says, under 6.11.4, such requests are made to the Mayor’s office, after which it is redirected to the appropriate for further consideration, followed by the department informing a neighborhood association and 30 days for public comments. Once these steps, along with a review of the proposed name change (if necessary), a “full recommendation” is made to the council, Pollard said that since the council has already placed the item on the agenda under proposition A for consideration, it would supersede all else.
Council member Pollard said during the meeting he looks forward to the item passing and that the decision will be a “fitting” way to honor a person of Lee’s stature.
“It fits any criteria or process necessary for a final vote on this particular resolution,” he said. “I don’t see any other process that is required or necessary when ultimately this executive order puts it in the hands of the full City Council after a proposal was made…So we should be able to vote on this today, and it should be able to be a final vote as well, especially considering that we had public comment yesterday.”
Council member Tiffany Thomas read out a statement from Erica Lee, who was not present at the meeting.
Her daughter Erica Lee Carter is completing Lee’s “unexpired term” that runs out Jan. 3, 2025.
“This recognition is a testament to the immense contributions my mother made to the city of Houston and our entire nation,” Thomas read. “As many of you know, my mother was a dedicated public servant, a fierce advocate for the people of the 18th Congressional District, and a frequent flyer through Bush Airport, often making the journey from Houston to Washington to continue her work on behalf of her constituents…Due to her work in advocation through the federal government, Bush Airport became a global hub, facilitating economic growth and fostering stronger international tides. As I continue to work that she has so passionately began, I have the honor to represent the district that my mother loves so much. Naming Terminal E after her is not just a tribute to her work on the federal level, but the service she gave to our city and its people…”
The community extends its support
Garrett Auzenne, a staffer in Lee’s office for five years who trained under her mentorship, reminisced about his experiences with her—her fearlessness and dignity.
“The lady was about five-two at the most, but she had a fearlessness about her that showed the heroism. If there ever was an explosion, if there ever was a fire, if there was a protest, she wasn’t one of the people that ran away from it. She was one of the people that ran towards it”
– Garrett Auzenne, staffer for Sheila Jackson Lee
Lee’s legacy left an indelible mark on Auzenne’s life while she was advocating for Iranians’ human rights, fighting corruption, or promoting workers’ pay raises.
“This international terminal is gonna be a beacon for the world rep, welcoming so many people,” he added. “And I would just feel such a sense of pride, not only for the United States of America and the state of Texas but particularly as a Houstonian.”
A community member of the Ethiopian diaspora, Dula Abdu, said his association with Lee goes back a long way, especially regarding the strides she took for the community’s upliftment.
“When our community needed support, Shila was there for us, championing democracy and human rights,” Abdu said. “Whether the idea of bridging equality of poverty, human rights in the U.S. and overseas, Congresswoman Lee fought for always for the right causes…she was a beacon of hope and champion for all marginalized people…”
Lutfi Hassan, the CEO and Chairman of the Apex Group of Companies, said Lee “fiercely championed and loved” the 18th Congressional District and represented not just her constituents but all Houstonians, regardless of their race, background, and political affiliation. Hassan said this was further exemplified by the support Erica Lee received from leaders across the political spectrum.
“We gather here today not only to honor a legacy but to acknowledge the tangible impact that Congresswoman had on our city,” Hassan said. “Her advocacy ensured that George Bush Intercontinental Airport remained a world-class gateway to Houston, strengthening our economy and global standing. Her legacy is deeply embedded in this city, and this resolution offers us a moment to honor her sacrifices, her achievements, and the countless lives she touched.”
Hassan added that naming Terminal E after Lee is a fitting necessity to continue the tradition of naming terminals after political leaders.
Some speakers spoke of Lee’s advocacy for diversity in Houston and her role in promoting the city internationally.
“Honoring her in this way shows the legacy she continues to inspire not only for Houstonians but everyone who passes through our city,” said physician Dr. Asaf Qadeer.
