Travelers landing at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport’s Terminal E will now be greeted by a name that is deeply entrenched in Houston’s soul: Sheila Jackson Lee.
The unanimous decision by the Houston City Council to rename the terminal after the late Congresswoman is not just a symbolic gesture but a testament to her achievements and vision for the city.
When I first came to Houston two years ago, everyone I met in the community knew Jackson Lee. She was more than a political figure. Those who saw her in action told me she always showed up to people’s doorsteps during natural disasters, birthday parties, cultural events and above all, to relay her constituents’ needs to the decision-makers in Washington, D.C.
Houston, a city rich with historical figures who shaped its political, cultural and economic landscape, has added yet another milestone in celebrating those leaders.
By renaming Terminal E after Jackson Lee, alongside former Mayor Lewis Cutrer and former U.S. Rep. Mickey Leland, the city affirmed its inclusiveness and respect for public servants who opened doors for underserved communities.
The move is also significant for young people and international visitors who fly into Houston. The name may inspire them to look up Jackson Lee and learn about her accomplishments in Houston and across the seas. It will introduce them to the vibrant and courageous history she carved out for herself.
For Black youth growing up here, seeing Jackson Lee’s legacy prominently displayed at a major gateway into the city will remind them that their voices matter and they, too, can advocate for their community on the world stage.
As the longest-serving U.S. Representative for Texas’s 18th Congressional District, Jackson Lee’s accomplishments are endless. She was a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Children’s Caucus and served on three congressional committees: the House Committee on the Judiciary, Homeland Security and the Crucial Budget Committee.
That’s not all. She secured disaster relief after Hurricane Harvey and stood by her constituents from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 to Hurricane Beryl last year before her death.
Jackson Lee, a former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Board, fought for criminal justice and immigration reform and championed for women and children, supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. She also introduced an amendment to H.R. 2262 that called for outreach to minority- and women-owned businesses in the commercial space industry. During her 29-year tenure as a Congresswoman, she advocated fiercely for the needs of Houston’s Black community and secured $125 million for the Houston Airport System.
Remembering Jackson Lee this way has a more profound meaning— the city chose to celebrate a woman who embodied resilience, service and compassion. Now, passengers traveling through Sheila Jackson Lee Terminal E will have an opportunity to learn about a woman who advocated fiercely for her people. For taking that step, Mayor John Whitmire and City Councilmembers deserve applause.
As her daughter, Erica Lee Carter, movingly stated, “We are not just affixing a name to a building, we are telling the world that Sheila Jackson Lee mattered to Houston, and that her legacy lives on boldly, visibly and permanently.”
