Marks honours legacy of US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at funeral

In paying tribute during the funeral of former Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Jamaica Ambassador to the United States (US) Audrey Marks celebrated the life and legacy of a remarkable leader whose roots were deeply intertwined with Jamaican heritage.

Marks, invited by the late congresswoman’s family to deliver remarks at the Fallbrook Church in Houston Texas, highlighted the significance of the date, August 1, which coincides with the 190th anniversary of Emancipation from slavery in Jamaica and the British Caribbean.

“This is a most fitting day to honour the profound connection she had with a country that holds a special place in the hearts of over 3.2 million Jamaican Americans,” Marks noted.

Addressing the family, including Jackson-Lee’s children Jason and Erica, Marks emphasised the congresswoman’s pride in her Jamaican kinship and her active support for Jamaica.

The grand-daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Jackson Lee was an icon to the Jamaican diaspora living in the US. She pointed out that Jackson Lee’s life exemplified cherished Jamaican characteristics, setting an example for future generations of Jamaican Americans.

The ambassador highlighted Jackson Lee’s role in the tradition of Caribbean diaspora members who have embraced the American dream while contributing to societal progress.

“Rep Sheila Jackson Lee’s life and work represented an extension of that great tradition,” Marks stated, noting that more than 400 Jamaican Americans are currently involved in representational politics across federal, state, and local governments in the US.

Marks, in her audience which included US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, as well as members of the US Congress and Senate, praised Jackson Lee’s advocacy for both her Houston district and broader US interests, while steadfastly supporting Jamaica and the Caribbean.

She credited the congresswoman for championing the assistance given to Jamaica during the Sars CoV2 pandemic, as well as legislation that led to the formal recognition of June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in the US.

Describing Jackson Lee’s work as “strong and courageous”, Marks commended her unwavering commitment to justice, her passion for making a difference, and her dedication to faith and family life.

“She was the embodiment of what it means to be in service of others, to stand up for justice, brotherhood and peace, and to think generously and honestly,” Marks declared.

The ambassador concluded by affirming that Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come, embodying the values cherished in both her adopted home and her ancestral land.