Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) has passed away.

Jackson Lee, 74, announced in June she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and undergoing treatment.

Her family did not specify a cause of death.

Democrat Congresswoman Discloses Cancer Diagnosis

“Today, with incredible grief for our loss yet deep gratitude for the life she shared with us, we announce the passing of United States Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of the 18th Congressional District of Texas,” a statement from her family read.

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From The Hill:

Jackson Lee was first elected to the House in 1994, besting then-incumbent Rep. Craig Washington (D-Texas) in the Democratic primary. She went on to defeat her Republican opponent in the general election, beginning her almost 30-year tenure in the House.

The Congresswoman served on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security and Budget Committees.

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FOX 26 Houston reports:

The Queens, New York native and daughter of a comic book artist attended Yale University and the University of Virginia where she obtained her law degree.

While she was in college, she met the man who would become her husband, Elwyn Lee, in 1973. He took a job at the University of Houston as a law professor and that led the New Yorkers to travel to Houston.

However, while in Houston, Jackson Lee had political aspirations and attempted to run for judgeships in Houston, but was unsuccessful three times.

Then in the late 80s, Jackson Lee was appointed to a municipal judge seat by then-Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire.

However, after receiving that position, Jackson Lee had bigger political aspirations and ran for a seat on the Houston City Council in 1989, which she won.

She later set her sights on the 18th Congressional District in 1994 where she defeated Congressman Craig Washington.

 

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