HOUSTON- Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is serving her eight term as a member of the United States House of Representatives. She represents the 18th Congressional District of Texas, centered in Houston, which is the energy capital of the world.
Lee earned a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University with honors, followed by a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School. Before her election to Congress, she served two terms as one of the first African-American women At-Large members of the Houston City Council. Prior to her Council service, she was an Associate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Houston.
In the 110th Congress, Congresswoman Jackson Lee was named the new Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection. She sits on three Congressional Committees–the House Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs. As Chairwoman of the Transportation Security and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee, Lee has supported enhanced technology, better intelligence, increased airplane cargo inspections, increased security for railroads, and implementation of the 9/11 Commission report.
She was hailed by Ebony magazine as one of the “100 Most Fascinating Black Women of the 20th Century.” “Congressional Quarterly” named her as one of the 50 most effective Members of Congress. “U.S. News and World Report” named her as one of the 10 most influential legislators in the House of Representatives.
She is married to Dr. Elwyn C. Lee, who holds a dual position of Vice Chancellor and Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Houston System and the University of Houston. They have two children Erica, who is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and Duke University, and Jason, who  attends Harvard University.
We salute Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as this week’s Living Legend and invite you to send in who you think will make a good Living Legend and why they should be honored.