HOUSTON: In an historic moment for the City of Houston, Mayor John Whitmire and invited guests, along with Houston Airports and the family of the late U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, gathered Monday to officially dedicate the Sheila Jackson Lee Terminal E at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
The dedication permanently links Jackson Lee’s legacy to one of the nation’s busiest international airports, where approximately 35,000 international passengers pass through Terminal E each day. Jackson Lee represented Texas’ 18th Congressional District for more than three decades, a district that includes IAH.
During her time in Congress, she strongly advocated for aviation security, federal transportation funding, and infrastructure development that helped expand Houston’s airports and strengthen its global connectivity. According to the City Council resolution approving the renaming, Jackson Lee secured more than $125 million in federal funding for Houston’s airport system throughout her congressional career.“Terminal E is where Houston welcomes the world,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports.
“Millions of travelers from around the world will now encounter the story of Sheila Jackson Lee here at one of America’s great international gateways. There could not be a more fitting tribute to a public servant who dedicated her life to connection, opportunity and the people of Houston.”Terminal E became fully operational in April after the relocation of foreign flag air carriers from Terminal D, marking the completion of the construction project.
During the ceremony, the family unveiled a 500-pound memorial plaque made of cast bronze and black granite, featuring a bas-relief portrait of the late congresswoman.In the coming weeks, the plaque will be permanently installed inside Terminal E’s international concourse beyond the TSA security checkpoint.“Thank you to the City of Houston and our beloved community for acknowledging Sheila Jackson Lee by naming Terminal E in her honor,” the Jackson Lee family said in a statement.
“Additional thanks to the Department of Homeland Security and the Harris County Congressional Delegation. We are thrilled that the gateway to the world and our great city reflects her leadership and legacy. Houston is the city that allowed Congresswoman Jackson Lee to soar to heights we could not have imagined.
This day reflects not just what she meant to us, but what she means to each of you as a central figure in our community. It is our wish that this continues to inspire visitors for years to come.”
Who was Sheila Jackson Lee?
Sheila Jackson Lee was an American politician, lawyer, and civil rights advocate who served in the United States House of Representatives for nearly three decades. She represented Texas’s 18th Congressional District, based in Houston, from 1995 until her death in 2024. Known for her outspoken personality and active presence in Congress, she worked on issues related to civil rights, healthcare, immigration, criminal justice reform, and international human rights.
Born in Queens, New York, in 1950, Sheila Jackson Lee studied political science at Yale University before earning a law degree from the University of Virginia. Before entering national politics, she worked as a municipal judge and later served on the Houston City Council. Her political career was marked by strong advocacy for minority communities and social justice causes.In Congress, she served on important committees including the Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.
She frequently addressed issues such as racial equality, voting rights, police reform, disaster relief, and women’s rights. She was also active in international diplomacy and often supported humanitarian causes around the world.Sheila Jackson Lee was especially respected in Pakistan for her support during the devastating 2022 floods.
She visited flood-affected areas in Sindh with a U.S. congressional delegation, met displaced families, and called for greater humanitarian assistance from the United States. She described the floods as a “monster disaster” after witnessing widespread destruction firsthand. In recognition of her efforts to strengthen Pakistan-U.S. relations and support flood victims, Pakistan awarded her the Hilal-e-Pakistan in 2022.
Sheila Jackson Lee passed away on July 19, 2024, after battling pancreatic cancer. Her death was widely mourned in the United States and abroad, with many remembering her as a passionate public servant and a strong voice for justice and humanitarian causes.
Friend of Pakistan :
Sheila Jackson Lee visited Pakistan in September 2022 during the catastrophic floods that affected more than 33 million people across the country. She led a U.S. congressional delegation that toured flood-hit areas, particularly in Sindh’s Dadu district, to assess the devastation and express solidarity with Pakistan. The delegation included Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congressman Al Green, and U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome.
They conducted aerial surveys of submerged regions, met flood victims, and received briefings from Pakistani officials and rescue teams. During the visit, Sheila Jackson Lee described the floods as: “A flood of historic proportion, really a monster of a disaster.” She also said that “as far as the eye could see, I saw water,” highlighting the scale of destruction caused by the monsoon floods.
The U.S. delegation emphasized continued American humanitarian support for Pakistan, including aid such as food, tents, medicines, and rehabilitation assistance for flood survivors. She additionally raised the issue in the U.S. Congress, saying millions of Pakistanis had lost homes, crops, and infrastructure, and appealed for long-term international support.
Because of her support for Pakistan and advocacy during the flood crisis, Pakistan awarded her the Hilal-e-Pakistan civil award in September 2022.