00:00So the Bible teaches us, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if you were
00:06working for the Lord.
00:10In everything she did, Sheila Jackson Lee worked with all her heart.
00:15As a member of the United States Senate and the Congressional Black Caucus, I had the
00:19honor to work directly with Sheila on many issues over the years and to observe firsthand
00:26her leadership.
00:28And she truly was a force of nature.
00:31When it came to her constituents, there was no task too big or too small for the Congresswoman.
00:36If it needed to be done, she made sure it was done and done right.
00:41When it came to crafting policy, there was no detail too minor or point of order too
00:48obscure.
00:51Very few people have loved the people of Houston more than Sheila Jackson Lee.
01:01In the community, she was ubiquitous and omnipresent, whether it was the funerals and memorial services
01:08or the birthday parties or block parties.
01:12She celebrated with the people.
01:15She mourned with the people.
01:18She stood with the people always.
01:21As a champion for women's rights, she helped reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
01:28As a fighter for LGBTQ rights, her support helped repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
01:33As a lifelong advocate for our nation's children, she founded the Congressional Children's Caucus.
01:40And as a leader who believed deeply that America's true and full history must be acknowledged
01:47and honored, it was Sheila Jackson Lee whose bill made Juneteenth a federal holiday, which
01:58as a United States Senator, I was proud to co-sponsor.
02:01And then as president, as vice president, it was my honor, with the president, it was
02:10my honor with our president, Joe Biden, to stand beside Congresswoman Sheila Jackson
02:21Lee as our president signed her bill into law.
02:26Sheila Jackson Lee was a change maker.
02:30She worked with all her heart to lift up the people of her city, of her state, and of our
02:36nation.
02:38And to honor her memory, let us continue to fight to realize the promise of America,
02:45a promise of freedom, opportunity, and justice, not just for some, but for all.
