How we got here
Sheila Jackson Lee died July 19 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She served in the House of Representatives for 29 years as a Houston Democrat and established the first federal holiday in 38 years: Juneteenth National Independence Day. She was also responsible for securing more than $125 million in federal funding for the Houston Airport System, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
The renaming was first brought to City Council as a resolution through the Proposition A Committee, with eight council members signing the letter in support. City Council voted unanimously in support of the resolution Dec. 18.
A Houston Airport System Public Information Officer said Houston Airports is working with the family of the late congresswoman and the mayor’s office on a timeline to design and install a plaque that will officially change the name of the terminal. They aim to make the change by this summer.
In their own words
Lee’s family spoke during the council meeting, remembering her as a mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to Houston.
“As you all hopefully vote to rename Terminal E, we’re not affixing just a name to a building,” said Erica Lee Carter, Lee’s daughter and former U.S. representative. “We’re telling the world that Sheila Jackson Lee mattered to Houston, and her legacy lives on boldly, physically and permanently.”
Council member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz said this renaming was a “no-brainer” and she knew immediately that she was going to support it when the idea was brought to her.
Council member Letitia Plummer said this is the “most profound vote” this council has made.
“I think doing this dedication to the airport allows not only Houstonians to know who she is, but every single person that flies into that terminal,” Plummer said. “If they don’t know who she is, they’re going to get their phones out, and they’re going to Google her. And then they’re going to see why we named that terminal for her.”
