CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE MOURNS THE PASSING OF WINNIE MANDELA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Robin Chand
April 2, 2018 202-225-3816
Press Statement
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Mourns the Passing of Winnie Mandela
Jackson Lee: "I was honored to meet Winnie Mandela here in Houston, shortly after Madiba was freed and stirred the conscience of the world. Winnie Mandela was a force for equality and worked tirelessly alongside her legendary former husband. Winnie has gone home and the world is a better place because Winnie and Madiba graced us with their presence."
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, senior Member of the House Committees on Budget, Judiciary and Homeland Security, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, released the following statement following the passing of Winnie Mandela:
"Winnie Mandela was known by a lot of names to the people of South Africa: "Mother of the Nation;" South Africa's "First Social Worker;" and the "Voice of Defiance." All can agree, however, that she lived a consequential life full of purpose.
"Winnie Mandela was so much more than the wife of Nelson Mandela. During his decades-long incarceration at Robben Island, Winnie assumed the mantle of anti-Apartheid resistance and carried forward the message of equality. Together, they came to symbolize the movement that would soon topple Apartheid.
"After Madiba's service to his beloved South Africa, Winnie had her own turn as an elected official. She brought to that role the same steadfast resolve that she so effectively used to fight oppression and injustice.
"I was honored to meet Winnie Mandela here in Houston, shortly after Madiba was freed and stirred the conscience of the world. Winnie Mandela was a force for equality and worked tirelessly alongside her legendary former husband. Winnie has gone home and the world is a better place because Winnie and Madiba graced us with their presence."
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee is a Democrat from Texas's 18th Congressional District. She is a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and is a Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.