Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Disrespects Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's Legacy, Orders Flags At Half-Staff For One Day Only

Houston, Texas — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has once again demonstrated his indifference to the contributions of Black Americans, this time by ordering flags to be flown at half-staff for a mere day to commemorate the life and service of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.

Who was Sheila Jackson Lee?

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a true pioneer and dedicated public servant, dedicated her life to fighting for the people of Houston and the state of Texas. As a Democrat and member of the Congressional Black Caucus, she tirelessly advocated for her constituents, serving the 18th Congressional District of Texas and as chair of the caucus. Her untimely death at 74, after nearly 30 years of service, has left a void that will be difficult to fill.

Lee's political career began on the Houston City Council, and her dedication to her community was recognized when she defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Craig Washington in the 1995 primary. She went on to become the co-dean with Democrat Lloyd Doggett, serving the people of Austin and becoming a prominent figure in Texas politics. Despite an unsuccessful bid for Houston mayor last year, she perservered and secured her 15th term in the U.S. House, a testament to her strong support base.

Disparities in Honouring Public Servants

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website, there are specific guidelines for flying flags at half-staff. However, it is important to note that these guidelines are not always consistently applied, and the length of time flags remain at half-staff varies significantly depending on the official being commemorated. For example:

• The president may order the flag at half-staff for up to 30 days after the death of a president or former president.
• The death of a vice president, chief justice, or speaker of the House warrants only 10 days of commemoration.
• The governor of a state is honoured from the date of death until interment, while associate justices of the Supreme Court are honoured from the date of death until interment, a discretionary length.
• Senators and representatives are afforded a mere two days of recognition, highlighting a clear disparity in how we honour those who have served our country.

The brief lowering of flags for Rep. Lee, following such inconsistent and often inadequate guidelines, is a disgrace to her legacy and service. Gov. Abbott has a history of paying lip service to diversity while actively undermining the communities he claims to support. This superficial gesture is emblematic of a larger issue of systemic racism and the dismissal of Black leaders in our society. Texas, and the country, deserve better.

Rest in power, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Your work and memory will continue to inspire us in the fight for true equality and representation.