JACL and JACL Houston Mourns Passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
July 20, 2024
For Immediate Release
Seia Watanabe, VP Public Affairs, swatanabe@jacl.org
Matthew Weisbly, Education & Communications Coordinator, mweisbly@jacl.org
Gary Nakamura, JACL Houston, gnakamura@jacl.org
Houston, Texas, July 20, 2024. The Japanese American Citizens League and the JACL Houston Chapter were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Her long career of public service to the city of Houston began as a municipal judge followed by election to Houston City Council before her nearly 30 years as Representative of Texas’ 18th Congressional District.
JACL worked most closely with the Congresswoman on the issue of Black Reparations. As sponsor of HR40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act, Representative Jackson Lee was tireless in leading the community in messaging and action to seek passage of legislation that would establish a commission to study the harms of slavery and Jim Crow laws and what was needed to provide reparations. Under her leadership, the legislation garnered 196 co-sponsors during the 116th Congress.
“Congresswoman Lee was a very strong advocate, champion, and leader for the people of Houston for many, many years, particularly communities of color and the marginalized. She will be very much missed,” stated JACL Houston Chapter President, Colleen Morimoto. “Regarding JACL Houston, Congresswoman Lee was always very gracious, expressing her appreciation for JACL standing by the Black community through HR40.”
“HR40 was one of the signature pieces of legislation championed by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee. Modeled after Japanese American Redress, passed over 35 years ago, it is disappointing that this work was left unfinished prior to her passing,” stated JACL Executive Director David Inoue. “It would be a fitting tribute to the Congresswoman to either pass HR40 through Congress or for the President to establish a similar commission through Executive Order.”
JACL mourns the loss that Representative Sheila Jackson Lee's passing means to the Houston community and as a national civil rights leader.
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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.
