Honoring the Legacy of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

Today, the Gulf Coast AFL-CIO mourns the loss of a fierce advocate and true friend of labor.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee never failed to show up for working people. When our members needed help, she was only a phone call away and always had our backs.

In Congress, Sheila had a perfect record of voting with working families. She joined janitors fighting for their union on the picket line, spoke out for public employees seeking a voice on the job, protected retirees from cuts to pensions, and called out the cruelty of those who demonize immigrant workers.

After Hurricanes, she was the first on the ground to organize water and food distribution relief to communities most in need, and during the pandemic, she worked hand in hand with us to ensure essential workers got tested and access to the vaccine.

Sheila understood servant leadership entails far more than passing laws. She leveraged her position and visibility to bring attention to the struggles of working people, regardless of the color of our skin, the country we come from, the faith we practice, or whom we love.

No one had energy like Sheila. She was driven by a resolute commitment to her community, and an endless desire to make all workers’ lives better.

We commit to honor her legacy by advocating for a fair shot for all working Houstonians, helping elect Kamala Harris as our next President, and caring for our community and each other.

Lacy Wolf, President

Hany Khalil, Executive Director