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HOUSTON — 4 days of occasions honoring the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee kicked off Monday morning as a whole lot of mourners gathered at Houston Metropolis Corridor to pay their respects in individual.
The previous municipal choose, Metropolis Council member and longtime Democratic member of Congress will lie in state within the Metropolis Corridor rotunda all day Monday. Jackson Lee’s greater than 30 years as an elected consultant from Houston warranted Mayor John Whitmire bestowing her with the very best honor he presumably might, he mentioned.
“This is a celebration,” Whitmire mentioned. “God does not allow us to choose when we lose a loved one, or friend, or colleague, but he does allow us to celebrate their lives, and pay our respects, and honor them.”
Jackson Lee is simply the second individual to lie in state in Metropolis Corridor.
Whitmire opened the proceedings Monday morning exterior the Metropolis Corridor steps alongside Jackson Lee’s household and different elected officers. The group then ushered into the rotunda, the place they quietly stood in entrance of Jackson Lee’s casket as a Houston Symphony string quartet performed “Amazing Grace.” The casket was draped with a U.S. flag and flanked by a Texas flag and a uniformed honor guard.
Jackson Lee’s household stayed after the ceremony to greet guests. Outdoors, a line of mourners wrapped partially across the constructing.
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Houston Mayor John Whitmire makes remarks on the steps of metropolis corridor forward of the general public viewing of late congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on July 29, 2024.
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Douglas Candy Jr. for The Texas Tribune
“The congresswoman supported and celebrated all of our communities,” mentioned Regina Graves, a 57-year-old who lives in Humble. “I remember something as small as a funeral for my sorority sister, she was there. She was a prominent and avid supporter of our community. She was at everything, and I honor that.”
Third Ward resident Phyillis Moss mentioned Jackson Lee’s dedication to her district was apparent to anybody who watched her.
“Most politicians should aspire to be like Sheila Jackson Lee,” Moss mentioned.
Metropolis, county and state officers attended Monday’s ceremony. President Joe Biden is anticipated to journey to Houston Monday afternoon to pay his respects.
First: Longtime Houstonian Sherry Browning arrives to Houston Metropolis Corridor to pay her respects and share tales of late congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Final: Houston Police shade guard member Corey McCray waits his cue to current colours throughout a public ceremony exterior Metropolis Corridor.
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Douglas Candy Jr. for The Texas Tribune
Monday’s honor is the primary of a number of providers for Jackson Lee forward of her Thursday morning funeral. A viewing and remembrance will probably be held at God’s Grace Neighborhood Church on Tuesday afternoon and a group farewell and appreciation service will probably be held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday.
Jackson Lee’s “Celebration of Life” service will probably be held at Fallbrook Church on Thursday at 11 a.m.
Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Invoice Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi have all mentioned they plan to attend Thursday’s service. Harris, the newly-minted presumptive Democratic nominee for president, will ship a eulogy, in response to the White Home.
Jackson Lee represented Congressional District 18 for 30 years. Throughout her profession, she rose to the ranks of Democratic Home of Representatives management and earned a fame as a prolific public speaker and tireless employee on behalf of her district.
She ran for mayor in 2023, finally dropping to Whitmire in December.
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Troopers Lauren Nelson, left, and Billy Smith, proper, of the Buffalo Troopers salute late congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as she lies in state in Houston Metropolis Corridor on July 29, 2024.
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Douglas Candy Jr. for The Texas Tribune
“I got to see firsthand the passion, the dedication, the commitment to the people that she represented (and) across Houston,” Whitmire mentioned. “She wasn’t going to let a redistricting line or a boundary line interfere with her voice.”
Whereas providers play out this week, behind the scenes native Democrats are jockeying for place within the contest to interchange Jackson Lee because the Democratic nominee for Congressional District 18.
A vote by 88 precinct chairs to pick out the brand new nominee will happen in mid August. That individual will nearly definitely win the November common election within the closely Democratic district. Former Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Jarvis Johnson, At-Giant Council member Leitia Plumber and former Council member Dwight Boykins have expressed curiosity within the seat, however most are ready till after this week’s ceremonies are accomplished earlier than making their bulletins official.
This article first appeared on Houston Touchdown and is republished right here below a Inventive Commons license.
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