Jamaica's Ambassador Honours Legacy of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee at Funeral Ceremony

HOUSTON Texas -August 3, 2024 -  In a moving tribute at the funeral ceremony of former Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, celebrated the life and legacy of a remarkable leader whose roots were deeply intertwined with Jamaican heritage.

Ambassador 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 1st, which coincides with the 190th anniversary of the Emancipation of 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," Ambassador Marks noted.

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

The granddaughter of Jamaican immigrants, Jackson Lee was an icon to the Jamaican diaspora living in the United States. 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 over 400 Jamaican Americans are currently involved in representational politics across federal, state, and local governments in the United States.

Ambassador Marks, in her audience which included US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton and members of the US Congress and senate,  praised Jackson-Lee's advocacy for both her Houston district and broader U.S. 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 United States.

Describing Jackson-Lee's work as "strong and courageous," Ambassador 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.

Lead Caption: Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Audrey Marks pays tribute to former congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at her service of thanksgiving at the Fallbrook Church in Houston Texas on Thursday August 1, 2024. Sharing the podium, from left is civil rights leader Jessee Jackson, former US president Bill Clinton and his wife former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

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