Houston City Council has approved a resolution to rename a terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in honor of the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who served nearly three decades as a renowned advocate for Houston, securing crucial federal support for the city.
The resolution, which received unanimous approval on Wednesday, begins the formal process of giving this tribute to Jackson Lee, who passed away in July due to pancreatic cancer. She served the 18th Congressional District for nearly three decades.
Jackson Lee was well-known as a passionate supporter of her home city of Houston, consistently traveling between Houston and Washington, D.C., and playing a key role in securing substantial federal funding for the airport.
The resolution now moves forward to the Houston Airport System for further consideration. Once reviewed, it will return to the City Council for committee discussions, public commentary, and a final decision.
Councilmember Edward Pollard, representing District J and one of eight sponsors of the resolution under Proposition A, urged the City Council to consider Wednesday’s vote as the final approval.
Pollard argued that since public comments were heard on Tuesday, there was no need for further delays. He emphasized that the renaming would serve as a meaningful way to preserve Jackson Lee’s legacy.
City Attorney Arturo Michel informed attendees that the proposal must still undergo a complete administrative review, including the Houston Airport System’s evaluation.
Michel did not provide a timeline for when the response from the airport system would be expected.