Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas has died, her office announced Friday evening. She was 74 years old.
A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Last month, however, Lee revealed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“A fierce champion of the people, she was affectionately and simply known as ‘Congresswoman’ by her constituents in recognition of her near-ubiquitous presence and service to their daily lives for more than 30 years,” her office said in a statement.
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Lee represented the 18th Congressional District, which included portions of Houston. She was a municipal judge before beginning her political career as a member of the Houston City Council in the late 1980s, and she joined Congress in 1995.
In a statement, the Congressional Black Caucus described Lee as a “titan and stalwart” who was a “fierce advocate for social and economic justice, national and homeland security, energy independence, and children and working families.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.