Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Statement on the Death of Civil Rights Stalwart Roger Wilkins

Style Magazine Newswire | 3/28/2017, 11:17 a.m.
Jackson Lee: “For nearly 50 years, Roger Wilkins provided pioneering and distinguished service at the intersection of law, government, media, …

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Judiciary and Homeland Security and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations, released the following statement after learning of the death of Roger Wilkins, whose legendary career as a civil rights champion spanned nearly a half century:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of civil rights champion Roger Wilkins, who, for nearly 50 years, provided pioneering and distinguished service at the intersection of law, government, media, and philanthropy, motivated always by his commitment to racial equality and social justice.

“Whether as a Justice Department official in the Johnson Administration and the first Director of the Justice Department’s Community Relations Service, a member of the Pulitzer Prize winning Editorial Board during Watergate, a columnist for the New York Times, or as a senior officer of the Ford Foundation, Roger Wilkins never forgot his roots and never wavered in his commitment to fulfilling Dr. King’s dream. His was a consequential life and his contributions will long be remembered.

“I hope it is a comfort to the family, friends, and loved ones of Roger Wilkins that so many people across the nation and around the world are mourning the loss of this gentle man and fierce warrior for justice.”

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.

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