Sheila Jackson Lee

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Sheila Jackson Lee

United States Representative from Texas's 18th district
In office 1995-present
Preceded by	Craig Washington
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	January 12, 1950 New York City, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elywn Lee
Religion	Seventh Day Adventist

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 Texas' 18th Congressional District(map), which was once the domain of her role model, former congresswoman Barbara Jordan.

1 Biography
2 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Jackson Lee graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens, New York. 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.

[edit] Political career

Jackson Lee made three unsuccessful attempts at local judgeships before becoming a municipal judge from 1987 to 1990 (Jackson-Lee, along with Sylvia Garcia, were appointed by then mayor of Houston 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.

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.

As a federal legislator, Jackson Lee is an outspoken advocate for her liberal views; which range from supporting affirmative action to immigrant and women's rights.

Jackson Lee's role model is the famed black legislator Barbara Jordan, who represented the same congressional district from 1973 to 1979. Like Jorden before her, Jackson Lee uses her seat on the Judiciary Committee to focus attention on civil rights, abortion rights and other liberal causes.

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

When it comes to the residents of her district — which are overwhelmingly poor and black ^{[citation needed]} — Jackson Lee has on occasion partnered with Republicans in Congress, for instance backing President George W. Bush's energy plan, which was strongly criticized by environmentalists. In 2000 she favored permanently normalizing trade status for China, arguing that it would aid both human rights and Houston's economy.

[edit] Controversy

Jackson Lee volunteered herself as an unsolicited advocate for the father of Elián González in the international custody controversy. She also attracted controversy in 2003 by meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and offering to sponsor a visit for the controversial leader to come to the United States.

[edit] Other criticism

The Houston Chronicle interviewed two illegal immigrants who claimed to have worked for a day in Lee's campaign office moving furniture. Lee denied the allegation.[1]

The Weekly Standard has published criticism of her travel arrangements, and alleged that she has been banned by Continental Airlines from flying with them after repeatedly badgering and bullying airline staff and flight attendants. [2]

World Net Daily ran an article in August of 2003 on Jackson Lee's statements regarding hurricane names. Jackson Lee argued that the current hurricane names are too caucasian sounding, using the term "lily white", and that hurricane names should "have better representation for names reflecting African-Americans and other ethnic groups." [3]

Lee has also been accused of grandstanding and self-aggrandizement, along with being a brusque and imperious boss. In her first two years in Congress, her staff reportedly had a 180% turnover rate, which was attributed by the Houston Press to overwork and bullying by the Congresswoman. [4] Accordingly, House staffers unofficially voted her the 2nd meanest member of the body in a Washingtonian article. [5]

[edit] Trivia

In the television series The West Wing, Jackson-Lee's 18th district is represented by Matt Santos, a fictional Democrat, who goes on to be elected President during the show's seventh and final season.

She is listed as #98 in Bernard Goldberg's 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America.