Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee (born January 12, 1950 in Queens, New York), an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995. She represents Houston's 18th Congressional District (map), which was once the domain of her role model, former congresswoman Barbara Jordan.

Related Topics:
January 12 - 1950 - Queens, New York - American - Democratic - United States House of Representatives - 1995 - Houston - Barbara Jordan

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Jackson Lee graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens. She went on to earn a B.A. in political science from Yale University in 1972, followed by a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975. Jackson Lee moved to Houston after her husband, Dr. Elwyn C. Lee, took a job at the University of Houston. Her husband now holds a dual position of Vice Chancellor and Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Houston System and the University of Houston, respectively.

Related Topics:
Jamaica High School - B.A. - Political science - Yale University - 1972 - J.D. - University of Virginia - 1975 - Elwyn C. Lee - University of Houston - University of Houston System

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Jackson Lee made two unsuccessful attempts at local judgeships before becoming a municipal judge from 1987 to 1990 (Jackson-Lee, along with Sylvia Garcia, were appointed by Mayor Kathy Whitmire). In 1989 she won the At-Large Position Four seat on the Houston City Council, serving until 1994. While on the city council, Jackson Lee helped push through a gun safety ordinance that punished parents who did not keep their guns away from children. She also worked for expanded summer hours at city parks and recreation centers as a way to combat gang violence. Right before a reelection bid for a second term as a councilmember, a referendum for term limits within Houston city government would lead to Jackson-Lee seeking tenure in another elected office.

Related Topics:
Judge - 1987 - 1990 - 1994 - Gun - Gang

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Also in 1994, Jackson Lee (serving her third term as a member of the Houston City Council) defeated incumbent Congressman Craig Washington in the Democratic primary for the 18th Congressional District of Texas; a victory which assured her the seat itself, as the district is overwhelmingly Democratic. Washington had previously made powerful enemies, namely Houston's downtown power brokers (such as then-Enron Chief Kenneth Lay, by voting against Congressional bills favoring NAFTA and NASA because neither, in his judgement, provided anything for his constituents.

Related Topics:
Craig Washington - Kenneth Lay - NAFTA - NASA

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Irked by Washington's overt and aggressive liberalism, Lay and other conservatives first convinced then Councilwoman Jackson Lee to run against Washington, then put their sizeable deep pockets behind Jackson Lee and her campaign, though she was a Democrat. Her primary victory was guaranteed as many registered Republicans in the district ignored the Republican primary altogether and "crossed-over" and voted in the Democratic primary for Jackson Lee.

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As a federal legislator, Jackson Lee speaks loudly and often and as a result she has been accused of being a publicity hound. But this also means her liberal views — which range from supporting affirmative action to immigrant and women's rights — do not go unnoticed in the Republican-controlled Congress.

Related Topics:
Liberal - Affirmative action - Immigrant - Women's rights - Republican

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Jackson Lee presents herself in the mold of her role model, the famed black legislator Barbara Jordan, who represented the same congressional district from 1973 to 1979. Jackson Lee — borrowing a page from Jordan's book — uses her seat on the Judiciary Committee to focus attention on civil rights, abortion rights and other liberal causes.

Related Topics:
Barbara Jordan - 1973 - 1979 - Civil rights - Abortion

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Minority issues are at the forefront of Jackson Lee's political agenda. Within the past few years she has also traveled to South Africa to decry racism and has backed sanctions against Sudan. She is the first vice-chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Related Topics:
South Africa - Racism - Sudan - Congressional Black Caucus

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When it comes to the residents of her district — which are overwhelmingly poor and black — Jackson Lee does not shy away from partnering with Majority Leader Tom DeLay, whose conservatism sharply contrasts with her own views. Hoping to boost the Houston area's oil industry, Jackson Lee sided with DeLay in backing President George W. Bush's energy plan, strongly criticized by environmentalists. The two have also cosponsored a bill strengthening child protective services.

Related Topics:
Tom DeLay - Oil - George W. Bush - Environmentalist

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Jackson Lee is a liberal ideologue, but she does not always side with her Democratic Party, particularly on trade issues. In 2000 she favored permanently normalizing trade status for China, arguing that it would aid both human rights and Houston's economy. It was also a priority for Enron Corporation, with which she has financial ties.

Related Topics:
Democratic Party - 2000 - China - Human rights - Enron Corporation

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During Enron's financial collapse in 2001, Jackson Lee — who is a famous talker — was content to allow other Democrats to speak against Enron's alleged corporate abuses. Enron's CEO, Kenneth L. Lay, was one of her major financial backers when she was elected to her first congressional term in 1994; Enron itself has given generously to her campaigns.

Related Topics:
2001 - Kenneth L. Lay

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