HRES-1494-119
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Sponsored by Al Green (D-TX)
What it does
This resolution would have the House of Representatives formally acknowledge and honor the legacy and public service of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas. It recounts her career as a municipal judge, city council member, and 29-year member of Congress, and cites her role in disaster relief efforts and the establishment of Juneteenth as a federal holiday. It creates no new law, funding, or policy.
Who benefits
The family, former staff, and constituents of Congresswoman Jackson Lee, who receive formal congressional recognition of her career; no other group gains materially.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution changes no law, program, or funding.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that formally honoring a long-serving member of Congress who represented her district for nearly three decades and contributed to significant legislation, including the Juneteenth federal holiday designation, is a fitting and customary use of a chamber resolution. They contend such resolutions preserve institutional memory and recognize public service regardless of political affiliation.
Opponents argue
Opponents of commemorative resolutions in general argue that floor time and committee referrals could be directed toward substantive legislation rather than symbolic tributes, and that such recognitions are inherently one-sided narratives that do not require House debate. They contend that honoring individual legislators, while customary, offers no material benefit to constituents beyond ceremonial value.
Constitutional context
This resolution raises no constitutional question beyond the House's Article I, Section 5 authority to determine its own proceedings, including the passage of commemorative resolutions.
Checks and balances
No branch gains or loses authority; this is an internal expression of the House with no legal or binding effect on other branches.
Historical precedent
The House has a long-standing custom of passing resolutions honoring the lives and careers of deceased current and former members of Congress.