Janice R. Andrews
HOUSTON, TX — During the funeral for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Vice President Kamala Harris made a hilarious mistake by calling herself president. She instantly realized her mistake. The audience laughed and showed support for the moment, even if it was short.
In Houston, Harris joined a number of prominent Democrats, such as First Lady Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, to pay tribute to Jackson Lee, who passed away at the age of 74 last month. Jackson Lee’s legacy and her contribution to Juneteenth being a federal holiday were emphasized in Harris’s speech.
Harris started off by saying, “As a United States senator, I was proud to co-sponsor and then as presi-as vice president,” but quickly corrected herself. She pointed out, grinning widely at her error, “It was my honor with the president, with the president, it was an honor.”
Applause, shouts, and laughter broke out from the crowd, and Harris had to pause before continuing. “It was my honor with our president Joe Biden to stand beside Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as our president signed her bill into law,” she said.
As Harris took the platform, the audience gave her a standing ovation and multiple shoutouts as she started her speech. She paid a moving eulogy to Jackson Lee, characterizing him as a force of nature, a person of profound faith and compassion, and a champion of justice.
Harris remarked, “She really was a force of nature.” “There was no work too large or little when it came to her constituents. She made sure everything was done correctly if it had to be done.”
Jackson Lee was described by the vice president as one of the most astute and cunning lawmakers in Washington, D.C. She also told a funny story about how she avoided talking to Congresswoman Jackson Lee in the hallways because she knew the latter would grill her about her most recent plans.
Harris remarked, “Then she would tell you exactly what she needed you to do to help her get it done,” to rounds of applause. “She never lost an opportunity to fight for the people she served.”
Along with numerous other well-known Democrats, Reverend Jesse Jackson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries attended the bigger event that included Harris’s eulogy. Before Harris spoke, the two Clintons gave him embraces; this was the first time the three had been seen in public since Harris emerged as the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The Clintons were there to honor Jackson Lee and support Harris at her eulogy. The Clintons had backed Harris nearly immediately after President Biden withdrew from the campaign.
Even though Harris’s error was little, it brought attention to the fact that she is the likely Democratic presidential nominee and provided a lighthearted interlude for the otherwise serious event. The crowd’s response and the vice president’s moving remarks highlighted how much people respected and admired her and the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
