Martin Luther King and Arndrea Waters King released the following statement on the passing of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee:
We are incredibly saddened to hear that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a trailblazing legislator and fierce advocate for racial and social justice, passed away. For nearly 30 years, Rep. Lee was a champion for the residents of Houston. But her impact was felt beyond the halls of Congress. She consistently voted to protect and expand the rights of people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and children. Instrumental in the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, she stood by her convictions – and helped change our nation for the better. Our prayers are with her family as they mourn this sad loss. She was a force and will be missed.