The weeklong itinerary of services honoring the life and legacy of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee culminated with a powerful and spirited Celebration of Life service at Fallbrook Church (12512 Walters Road, Houston, TX 77014) where the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, current Vice President Kamala Harris, delivered the eulogy.
VP KAMALA HARRIS ON JACKSON LEE
In her eulogy, Harris described Jackson Lee as “one of the smartest and most strategic legislators in Washington D.C.” and a force of nature, tenacious and unrelenting when it came to fighting for her constituents.
Harris even admitted to sometimes wanting to hide when she saw Jackson Lee heading her way.
“Because I knew whatever else may be on my mind Sheila Jackson Lee would require a very serious and specific conversation with you about what she had on her mind, and then she would tell you exactly what she needed you to do to help her get it done,” said Harris. “That was her character. She never lost an opportunity to fight for the people she served.”
Harris, who now heads the Democratic ticket for the November 2024 presidential election, has witnessed an explosion of support, energy and excitement regarding the prospects of the U.S. electing its first woman and first person of Black and AIPOC ancestry to the most powerful elected office in the world.
That newfound energy and excitement on the Democrat’s side of the isle was initiated when President Joe Biden announced his intentions not to run for re-election and immediately endorsed Harris as his successor.
But Harris’s words at the Aug. 1 service were not election-focused, but rather directed specifically at celebrating the life and legacy of Jackson Lee.
Still, there was a slip of the tongue which may prove in November to have been a prophetic utterance.
After celebrating Jackson Lee’s work championing the rights of women, the LGBTQ+ community and children, Harris said this:
“As a leader who believed deeply that America’s true and full history must be acknowledged and honored, it was Sheila Jackson Lee whose bill made Juneteenth a federal holiday, which as a United States Senator I was proud to co-sponsor and as President…” a mistake which got attendees hyped about the prospects of a November victory.
Harris quickly corrected herself sharing that it was her honor to stand with President Joe Biden and beside Jackson Lee as Biden signed Jackson Lee’s Juneteenth bill into law. But the positive buzz initiated by Harris’s potentially prophetic slip could not be contained.
CULMINATION OF CELEBRATIONS
The week of remembrances began on July 29 as thousands of Houstonians and individuals from across the country, including President Joe Biden, descended up the Houston City Hall Rotunda where the late Congresswoman lay in state.
The following day, July 30, God’s Grace Community Church (9944 W. Montgomery Road, Houston, TX 77088) served as the site for a moving viewing and remembrance opportunity for even more thousands of individuals.
The historic Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church (3826 Wheeler Avenue, Houston, TX 77004) hosted a Community Farewell & Appreciation Service on July 31. Again, the turnout of attendees was overwhelming, as it was for the final service at Fallbrook Church.
As with the first three events, the service at Fallbrook Church was attended by a bevy of “big names” and grassroots community members.
The “who’s who” attendees included not only VP Harris, but also former president Bill Clinton and wife, former US Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Reverend William Barber, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Reverend Al Sharpton, Reverend Jesse Jackson and over 50 members of Congress (Democrats and Republicans) including Democratic Leader Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Rep Jasmine Crockett, U.S. Rep. Al Green, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and countless others.
OTHER SPEAKER REMEMBRANCES
Jeffries stated that Jackson Lee’s initials – SJL – also stand for a descriptor of who she was; a “social justice legend.” He also called Jackson Lee the “Michael Jordan of Congress.”
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairperson U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, likened witnessing Jackson Lee’s successful legislative prowess to “taking a master class in moving the ball down the field,” and shared a story of Jackson Lee holding a plane on the tarmac and blocking it from taking off in order to save an abuse victim from being deported and allowing her abuser to escape prosecution.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Clinton used her comments to not only celebrate her friend Jackson Lee but also to speak to the results she sees in the coming November election.
“I will miss [Jackson Lee] when we’re up for a tough fight. I will miss her when we celebrate a hard-won victory,” said Clinton. “We lost her too soon. We could use her voice now. But come next January, when our first woman president takes the oath of office, I’ll be thinking of Sheila, wondering what up in heaven she’s wearing, what magnificent, long scarf she has wrapped around herself, what hairdo she has managed to achieve for this special occasion. I’ll be thinking of her and Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan and all the generations of women who helped to make that day possible because they never stopped believing.”
Her husband, former president Bill Clinton, gave a huge shout-out to the 18th Congressional District, thanking them for giving Jackson Lee something most districts nationally don’t give their congressional representatives: “the space and support not only to take care of her district but to lead on national and global issues.”
The former president added that Jackson Lee quickly distinguished herself once in Congress.
“And before you know it, she made it on the smallest list we kept in the White House while I was there,” he said. “It was called the ‘Just Say Yes’ list… She was the only freshman [legislator] on the list. The ‘Just Say Yes’ list meant this: whatever it is they want, sooner or later you’re gonna do it. So, you might as well save the taxpayers the time and money of hassling them over it.”
Several international representatives shared remarks, as well, including the Ambassador of Jamaica to the United States, Audrey P. Marks, who said, “Sometimes Jamaicans are known for working 10 jobs. But I don’t know anyone who can ever outwork Sheila Jackson Lee.”
Jackson Lee has deep Jamaican ancestral roots.
Powerful and heartfelt words were also shared by Houston’s former mayor, Sylvester Turner, County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, as well as national civic leaders and Jackson Lee staff members and family.
And the vocal star power was in full effect via Kathy Taylor, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, the Houston Gospel Community Choir, V. Michael McKay, and a surprise performance by musical icon Stevie Wonder.
