HOUSTON — President Joe Biden visited Houston on Monday to pay his respects to the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Biden landed in Houston just before 7 p.m. He left Ellington Field at about 7:10 p.m. to go to City Hall to pay his respects to Jackson Lee.
Biden signed the guest book at City Hall: "Fearless, proud, and bold. May God bless a dear friend and great American. May God bless you, Sheila Jackson Lee."
When he arrived in Houston, several local leaders greeted Biden on the tarmac. Others had joined him on Air Force One on the flight from Austin, where the president made an appearance earlier in the day, to Houston.
Around 8:45 p.m., Biden left City Hall to go back to Ellington Field to leave.
Paying respects to Jackson Lee
Jackson Lee lied in state in City Hall from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 29.
The public was allowed to pay their final respects and sign a book of condolence following a brief prayer service with Jackson Lee's family, city leaders and faith leaders.
The White House also said Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Houston on Wednesday and will attend the Celebration of Life Service for Jackson Lee on Thursday. It will be Harris' second visit to the Bayou City this month and her third time in Texas in July.
After Lee passed, Harris called her “a tenacious advocate for justice and a tireless fighter for the people of Houston and the people of America,” the White House said in a statement to KHOU 11. The vice president said Lee was “a dear friend for many years, and a fellow member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I had the opportunity to work closely with her on many issues and to observe her leadership firsthand. She was relentless – one of our nation’s fiercest, smartest, and most strategic leaders in the way she thought about how to make progress happen. There was never a trite or trivial conversation with the Congresswoman. She was always fighting for the people of Houston and the people of America.”
Harris was in Houston last Wednesday to visit the city’s Emergency Operations Center following Hurricane Beryl. Thursday she delivered the keynote speech at the American Federation of Teachers’ 88th national convention held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Harris was also in Dallas to deliver a keynote speech at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 71st Boulé in early July.
Lee passed away Friday, July 19, at the age of 74. The office of Congresswoman Jackson Lee sent out details for more remembrance.
On Tuesday, July 30, there will be a viewing at God’s Grace Community Church at 9944 West Montgomery Road from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, July 31, there will be a viewing from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church at 3826 Wheeler Avenue, followed by a service there that will run from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Then on Thursday, Aug. 1, there will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. at Fallbrook Church. That's at 12512 Walters Road in Houston. The congresswoman's office said this service is by invitation only.
Gov. Greg Abbott approved Mayor John Whitmire's request to lower the flags to half-staff at City Hall and municipal buildings from Monday, July 29, to Thursday, Aug. 1.
"This is a time for unity across Houston as we honor her life and legacy. Although we were opponents in the recent mayoral race, we shared a long history of collaboration spanning over 30 years," Whitmire said in a statement. "Despite our different styles, we consistently worked towards the same goals, advocating for the issues that matter most to Houstonians."
Who was Jackson Lee?
Jackson Lee began her political career as a City of Houston municipal court judge. She then served on the Houston City Council before being elected to represent the 18th Congressional District of Texas in 1994.
"A local, national, and international humanitarian, she was acknowledged worldwide for her courageous fights for racial justice, criminal justice, and human rights, with a special emphasis on women and children," Jackson Lee's family said in a statement following her death.
The Congresswoman had a hand in several legislative victories over the decades, including establishing the Juneteenth Federal Holiday and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
"For decades, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a dedicated fighter for Houstonians," Whitmire said.
He cited her "unwavering commitment" to the community as the reason she will be bestowed the rare honor of lying in state in Houston City Hall. Legendary heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey was the only other Houstonian to receive the honor when he died in 2008.