Office of The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee
2314 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Staff of The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee:
On behalf of Human Rights Watch, I am writing to express our condolences on the recent passing of The Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee. We have profound gratitude for Congresswoman Jackson Lee’s exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing racial justice. We are grateful to have borne witness to her tireless efforts in advocating for policies that address historical and current injustices and systemic inequities during her long and illustrious career.
We have been privileged to partner with and lend ours to her prominent voice in spotlighting legislation addressing the atrocities of slavery and its legacies, among them H.R. 40, the reparations study commission bill, and H.R. 1320, the bill to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. Establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, encouraging the United States to finally collectively celebrate and recognize the emancipation of formerly enslaved people, was a crowning achievement and would not have occurred without the Congresswoman's engagement.
Her recent passing leaves a void among advocates for justice, but her legacy as a champion for marginalized communities will continue to inspire generations to come. As an organization dedicated to human rights for all, we hope to carry her spirit in our fight for racial justice.
We also wish to convey our heartfelt appreciation to the entire team for your dedication and hard work in supporting these efforts. Your work has deeply influenced the national discourse on racial equity and social justice.
Thank you to Congresswoman Jackson Lee and her staff for your exceptional service to our nation and unwavering commitment to human rights. Your hard, important work will be remembered and cherished by all those whose lives you have changed
Sincerely,
Tanya Greene
Director of US Program
On behalf of our entire team
