Democratic congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s final tweet posted just hours before her death at 74 reveals her ‘dying wish’
Sheila Jackson Lee, a former Texas congresswoman, called on her supporters to unite behind President Biden, hours before she died.
The 15-term Democrat died Friday at age 74 from complications of pancreatic cancer, which she announced she had in June.
Hours before her family announced her passing, Jackson Lee voiced her support for Biden on X, as more and more congressional colleagues are calling on him to withdraw.
“Now is the time to unite behind the President and get to work to defeat Donald Trump — for the last time,” she wrote.
Some called on Democrats to rally behind Biden to fulfill Jackson Lee’s “last wish,” urging the divided party to “honor her” by supporting his failed reelection campaign.
The death of Sheila Jackson Lee, a longtime Texas congresswoman, at age 74, was announced Friday by her family
Jackson Lee has been an outspoken supporter of President Biden, sharing a smiling selfie of them together earlier this year, saying he was “well prepared to lead this nation.”
Hours before her family announced her death, Jackson Lee expressed her support for Biden through X, as a growing number of her congressional colleagues call on him to withdraw.
Jackson Lee was known as a champion of progressive causes during her 30-year career in Congress, serving on the House Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget committees.
In a statement announcing her death this week, Jackson Lee’s family described her as a “fierce advocate for the people.”
Her support for Biden wasn’t limited to her latest tweet. Jackson Lee previously said that “there is no greater leadership for this country.”
In March, she shared a smiling selfie with the 81-year-old in Congress, in which she also called Vice President Kamala Harris — now seen as Biden’s likely successor if he leaves office — as “well-prepared to lead this country.”
“Vice President Harris in particular has shown us her ability to demonstrate international leadership and champion issues surrounding women’s and reproductive rights,” she wrote.
Jackson Lee’s final tweet called on people to unite behind the president and get to work to defeat Donald Trump — for the final time.
“How extraordinary was her quiet and important visit to Planned Parenthood, the first time a President or Vice President had made such a historic visit! She showed the patients and leaders there that she was there to serve them.
‘Let’s fight for the re-election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States of America!
“There is no greater leadership for this country! The nation must unite and elect them en masse. I will work hard across the country for their victory!”
Jackson Lee was born in Queens, New York, and attended Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
The 15-term congresswoman was an outspoken advocate for the position of black Americans for decades
Jackson Lee was first elected in 1994. Her family said in their statement announcing her passing that she had become a beloved figure in her community, having been re-elected 14 times.
“She was affectionately and simply called ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her ubiquitous presence and her commitment to their daily lives for more than 30 years,” the statement said.
‘As a local, national and international humanitarian activist, she was recognized worldwide for her courageous fight for racial justice, criminal justice and human rights, with special attention to women and children.’
In the statement, she listed her legislative victories, including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act.
When she announced earlier this year that she was battling cancer, Jackson Lee warned her constituents that she would likely be “absent from Congress at times” while she underwent treatment.
“My doctors have confirmed my diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and I am currently undergoing treatment to combat this disease that affects tens of thousands of Americans each year,” Jackson Lee said in a statement in June.
“I am confident that my doctors have developed the best possible plan to address my specific illness. The road ahead will not be easy, but I have faith that God will strengthen me.”