CWA Honors Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. joined dozens of dignitaries last week, including Vice President Kamala Harris, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to honor the life and work of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The congresswoman passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 74.

Sheila Jackson Lee was one of the longest-serving members of Texas’ congressional delegation, having begun her congressional career in 1994. Lee spent her career at the nexus of the labor and civil rights movements and she consistently co-sponsored legislation to empower workers, raise wages, and protect our rights and dignity.

President Cummings, a close friend of the late congresswoman, took time to speak about her work serving the residents of Houston, whether her constituents or not. “She was there for everyone, during floods, storms, power outages, you name it,” said President Cummings. “And her feet and her mouth ran in the same direction. She backed up her beliefs with action. During COVID, not many people know this: when the city ran out of baby formula, it was Sheila who brought in an 18-wheeler full of formula for folks. She trucked in vaccines for people when the city ran low and protective gear for healthcare workers facing the worst of the pandemic.”

Click here to read more about Sheila Jackson Lee’s incredible life and work.

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This post originally appeared on cwa-union.org.