George R. R. Martin Answers Times Staffers’ Burning Questions (Published 2018)
Vice President Kamala Harris Delivers Eulogy At The Home Going Service For Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
HOUSTON - Some of the most powerful leaders in the world gathered at a Northwest Houston Church to pay tribute to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Her homegoing service was held at Fallbrook Church.
SUGGESTED: Remembering Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee: Houstonians honor, remember well-loved Congresswoman
A few of the Congresswoman's close friends, including Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Bill Clinton, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton all spoke, honored Congresswoman Jackson Lee in a service befitting a woman who has served the people of Houston for the last 30 years. A woman who touched people all over the world.
"The Bible teaches us, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if you are working for the Lord and everything she did, Sheila Jackson Lee worked with all her heart. To know her was to know a true champion, a fierce champion for justice. Sheila Jackson Lee was a woman of deep faith and deep compassion. She was a proud member of our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha (sorority) and she was a dear friend to my husband Doug and me," Vice President Kamala Harris said from the stage.
"Today, we celebrate her success. Even more, we celebrate her effort. When you think about America, she's about as good an example of delivered goods as I can imagine," former President Bill Clinton told the crowd before returning to his seat next to Rev. Jesse Jackson.
"I will miss her. I will miss her when we're up for a tough fight. I will miss her when we celebrate a hard-won victory. We lost her too soon. We could use her voice now," adds former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who says she knows her friend will be celebrating in Heaven when America elects its first female president, Kamala Harris.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee has been friends with the Clinton's for decades since they, as well as the Congresswoman's husband, Dr. Elwyn Lee, were all attending Yale University together.
"To Elwyn (husband), Erica (daughter) and Jason (son), thank you for giving me the chance to say a few words about a woman I loved too. I want to thank the people of Houston for sending Sheila to Congress 15 times," says President Clinton.
"We had a she-ro in Sheila Jackson Lee," Rev. Al Sharpton roared from the stage and the crowd erupted into cheering.
"Sheila Jackson Lee, with every fiber in her body, was a tireless advocate, she was a voice for the voiceless. She was a fighter for those who America often forgot," says Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, who acknowledged George Floyd's family in attendance. He also spoke about how hard the Congresswoman fought for the George Floyd Policing Act.
"She founded the Congressional Children's Caucus, and as a leader that believed deeply that America's true and full history must be acknowledged and honored, it was Sheila Jackson Lee's bill that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. She worked with all her heart to lift up the people of her city, of her state, and of our nation," said Harris.
The Congresswoman passed July 19 after announcing just last month her battle with pancreatic cancer.
"The loss of Sheila Jackson Lee leaves a hole in my heart...I love you Congresswoman, and to your family, my heart goes out to you," said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
"She's in the pantheon of Black women who have made this country what it is today," said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku, Google Android TV, Samsung TV, and Vizio!
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says her initials also stand for Social Justice Legend. Jeffries says everyone revered her, including rapper 50 Cent, who apparently had an affectionate nickname for the Congresswoman.
"He turns the corner with his entourage, the first thing I hear him say is Auntie Sheila," says Jeffries.
Stevie Wonder, Gospel greats Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caeser and Kathy Taylor, also all sang beautiful tributes as Houston says goodbye to their long-time, well-loved Congresswoman.
"To honor her memory, let us continue to fight to realize the promise of America, a promise of freedom, opportunity and justice, not just for some but for all," said Harris.
"God said to Sheila, 'Sheila, your work here on this Earth is done. You have run a good race; you fought a good fight. Now it's time for you to come right on home'. Sheila, I want to thank you for bringing the world to the 18th Congressional District," said former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Her life was remembered and truly celebrated Thursday in a big way as her legacy, no doubt, will inspire generations to come.
View comments
CORE 231: African Diaspora And "Homegoing" In Ghana
Students will explore Ghana's history, culture, and contemporary issues, including its role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, through visits to cultural sites and NGOs, engaging with local scholars and literature, and reflecting on their experiences through journals and essays.
This course is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on the history of Ghana, the religious traditions of the people who have called the region home for generations, and contemporary societal challenges of Ghanaian citizens. There is a special focus on the history of Ghana's place in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the return of Diasporan Africans to Ghana as visitors, pilgrims, and even expatriates.
In taking this Winter Intensive, students will read works by poets, historians, novelists, anthropologists, and scholars of religion in addition to touring much of the country and visiting important historical and cultural sites and NGOs. Students will also learn from local scholars and experts on various subjects and themes and have opportunities to engage these experts through discussions. Finally, students will write reflective journals and an integrative essay.
Academics2 credits
Core fulfillment: Global Regions & Culture
Harris, Democratic Leaders Honor Jackson Lee At Houston Service
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 01: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris gives the eulogy during Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's during funeral service at the Fallbrook Church on August 01, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Members of the community and elected officials gathered to honor the life of the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Vice President Kamala Harris among other elected officials were in attendance for the funeral, where she will delivered remarks and the eulogy. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, praised the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, one of the most prominent Black women lawmakers in Congress, in a Thursday eulogy focused on the Texan's decades of fierce advocacy.
"Her fight was born out of love, she had a big, big heart," Harris said. "Very few people have loved the people of Houston more than Sheila Jackson Lee."
Fallbrook Church in Houston hosted Jackson Lee's homegoing service. Local and national leaders commended Jackson Lee for her public service.
Jackson Lee announced in early June that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment. She died July 19 at the age of 74.
She survived a previous breast cancer diagnosis.
Harris remarked that Jackson Lee would sometimes have to "get a little creative" to help her constituents. She recalled the city of Houston had a budget shortfall in 2011 and was going to close outdoor public pools and several community centers for the summer.
"Well, Sheila Jackson Lee wasn't having that," Harris said.
Harris told how Jackson Lee called business owners and convinced them to donate more than $350,000 to keep the pools and community centers open.
"She touched the lives of people all over our country," Harris said.
Advocate for Black community, womenA long-time advocate for progressive causes, Jackson Lee is known for her work in leading federal protections for women from domestic violence and making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
She was also an advocate for reparations for the descendants of enslaved African Americans, civil rights and voting rights. In 2021, Jackson Lee was arrested for civil disobedience over a federal voting rights bill.
She also served as whip of the Congressional Black Caucus and as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the caucus.
"She worked with all her heart to lift up the people of her city, of her state and of our nation. And to honor her memory, let us continue to fight to realize the promise of America," Harris said. "A promise of freedom, opportunity and justice, not just for some, but for all."
Before Jackson Lee was elected to Congress, she sat on Houston's city council from 1990 to 1994.
She joined the House in 1995 and served this Congress on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.
Accolades in HoustonSeveral members of Congress, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, paid their respects at Thursday's service.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also made remarks.
Jackson Lee was a surrogate for Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign, and gave a speech during the Democratic National Convention that year.
Hillary Clinton said she had a message for Jackson Lee, that Democrats "will carry your good work onward." She added that she wished Jackson Lee could see Harris sworn in as the first Black and Asian American woman president if she wins this November.
Jeffries said that Jackson Lee was beloved by her colleagues in Congress and that he was amazed how Jackson Lee was "always on the scene."
"I don't think there was a single event on Capitol Hill that she missed," Jeffries said.
Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Pramila Jayapal of Washington said that Jackson Lee was courageous and caring.
"She believed in our collective power to stand up for justice and she pulled all of us forward with her strength and her vision," Jayapal said.
President Joe Biden paid his respects earlier this week, bringing a bouquet of flowers to a service at Houston City Hall on Monday.
"She spoke truth to power and represented the power of the people of her district in Houston with dignity and grace," Biden said.
During his visit, he also offered condolences to her immediate family: husband, Elwyn Lee, and their two adult children, Erica Lee Carter and Jason Lee, according to White House pool reports.
There was a guest book at the service that Biden signed: "Fearless, proud, and bold. May God bless a dear friend and great American. May God bless you, Sheila Jackson Lee," according to the White House.
View comments
Comments
Post a Comment