Judiciary Committee Members Get Emotional Honoring The Late Sheila Jackson Lee: 'She Will Be Missed'

3 months ago

At a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, members paid tribute to the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) who passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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Transcript

00:00The Prime Subcommittee and Government Surveillance Subcommittee is called to order.

00:08We welcome everyone to today's hearing on the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

00:12Before we begin today, I want to acknowledge the passing of our friend and colleague Sheila

00:21Jackson Lee, a longtime member of this committee and of the United States House of Representatives.

00:30Ranking member Jackson Lee was first elected to the House 30 years ago, and she previously

00:35served as chairman of this subcommittee, and I had the opportunity to be her ranking member,

00:41and then we swapped positions, and it was always a cordial, professional relationship.

00:55While we may not have seen eye-to-eye on every issue, on most issues, in fact, I admired

01:04her, and I appreciated her tenacity and commitment.

01:28She had many frank discussions, expressing sincerely held positions.

01:37She was a fierce and loyal advocate for her constituents.

01:44She leaves behind her husband, her two children, and two grandchildren, and she will be missed

01:49by members on both sides of the aisle.

01:57Before we take a moment of silence, I'm going to yield time to Representative McBath.

02:20Thank you, Chairman.

02:22Thank you, and I'd like to take a moment to honor my friend, mentor, and my sister,

02:31Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

02:34She was a true powerhouse who fought for the betterment of our country and all its people.

02:46She was a genuine force to be reckoned with, always focused on making this country safer,

02:54more equitable, and more just.

02:58She was the first woman appointed ranking member of this subcommittee and went on to

03:06fearlessly serve as chair in the 117th Congress.

03:13Her leadership on civil rights issues will continue to be felt in Congress and all across

03:21this country.

03:23She uplifted marginalized communities, championed human rights, and tirelessly defended our

03:33democracy.

03:36As a mentor, Congresswoman Jackson Lee showed me the ropes she took me under her wing during

03:45my freshman year.

03:49She was one of my first friends on Capitol Hill and offered her support for me even before

03:59I came to Washington.

04:03And I thank God I had the chance to know her and receive her precious guidance.

04:12We served together as moms determined to make a better world, and I will do everything that

04:23I can in my power to keep that work going.

04:27I want to take this time to thank Congresswoman for everything that she has done for all of

04:34us, the least of us, the least of these, and for her fighting spirit to the very end.

04:48I am praying for her family, her staff, and for all of us feeling the impact of this loss.

05:00Sheila is one of a kind.

05:03The only Sheila Jackson Lee.

05:05I yield back.

05:09Let's pause now for a moment of silence to remember.

05:14Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Nadlin, please, I yield to you.

05:20Mr. Chairman, it's still hard to believe that we will never again see our dear friend and

05:26colleague Sheila Jackson Lee take her place on this dais.

05:32She ably led the crime subcommittee as chair and later served as ranking member.

05:37But no matter her title, she was always a leader.

05:41The marks she made on this subcommittee through her forceful advocacy for criminal justice,

05:46police accountability, gun safety, combating domestic violence,

05:52preventing trafficking, and protecting victims, and so many more issues, will live on for many years to come.

06:00Sheila never let an opportunity pass to stand up for her constituents.

06:04And she was a determined champion for all those who are marginalized in society and

06:09in need of their voice in Congress to represent them.

06:11I don't have a little more to say tomorrow in the full committee, but I thank the chairman for

06:16recognizing me and for taking the time to remember such a valued member of this subcommittee,

06:21as well as a treasured colleague and friend.

06:24May her memory be a blessing.

06:27Thank you, Mr. Nadler.

06:28Chair recognizes the chair of the entire committee, Mr. Jordan.

06:32Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

06:34No one could get more out of five minutes than Sheila Jackson Lee.

06:38And she was a friend to everyone on both sides of the aisle, someone that we're all going to miss.

06:44I love what the chairman said, I think, and both he and the ranking member and Ms. McBath said it all well.

06:50So we're going to miss her, one of a kind, one of a kind.

06:54I yield back.

06:56Thank you. Let's pause now for a moment of silence to remember our friend and colleague, Sheila Jackson Lee.

Judiciary Committee Members Get Emotional Honoring The Late Sheila Jackson Lee: 'She Will Be Missed'

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