Kamala Harris took time from her 96-day campaign for President to eulogize Jackson Lee on Thursday. She praised the example she set for others over nearly three decades in Congress. Jackson Lee showed that once power had been earned, “there is an obligation to do something good with it,” Harris said.
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00:00So the Bible teaches us, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if you were
00:06working for the Lord.
00:10In everything she did, Sheila Jackson Lee worked with all her heart.
00:15As a member of the United States Senate and the Congressional Black Caucus, I had the
00:19honor to work directly with Sheila on many issues over the years and to observe firsthand
00:26her leadership.
00:28And she truly was a force of nature.
00:31When it came to her constituents, there was no task too big or too small for the Congresswoman.
00:36If it needed to be done, she made sure it was done and done right.
00:41When it came to crafting policy, there was no detail too minor or point of order too
00:48obscure.
00:51Very few people have loved the people of Houston more than Sheila Jackson Lee.
01:01In the community, she was ubiquitous and omnipresent, whether it was the funerals and memorial services
01:08or the birthday parties or block parties.
01:12She celebrated with the people.
01:15She mourned with the people.
01:18She stood with the people always.
01:21As a champion for women's rights, she helped reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
01:28As a fighter for LGBTQ rights, her support helped repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
01:33As a lifelong advocate for our nation's children, she founded the Congressional Children's Caucus.
01:40And as a leader who believed deeply that America's true and full history must be acknowledged
01:47and honored, it was Sheila Jackson Lee whose bill made Juneteenth a federal holiday, which
01:58as a United States Senator, I was proud to co-sponsor.
02:01And then as president, as vice president, it was my honor, with the president, it was
02:10my honor with our president, Joe Biden, to stand beside Congresswoman Sheila Jackson
02:21Lee as our president signed her bill into law.
02:26Sheila Jackson Lee was a change maker.
02:30She worked with all her heart to lift up the people of her city, of her state, and of our
02:36nation.
02:38And to honor her memory, let us continue to fight to realize the promise of America,
02:45a promise of freedom, opportunity, and justice, not just for some, but for all.