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Teenage Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland sung for the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee back in 1999 | Check it out!

HOUSTON – Now THIS is a blast from the past.

This week, KPRC 2 is remembering the life and legacy of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who passed away over the weekend after her battle with pancreatic cancer.

SEE ALSO: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee passes away at 74

The congresswoman was 74 at the time of her death, leaving a community to recover from the loss.

While searching through old files and looking for a rainbow after storms, KPRC 2′s Moriah Ballard stumbled upon two clips of the congresswoman that have hardly ever been seen before.

Hold your breath, this is good stuff!

SEE ALSO: ‘She was brave:’ Sheila Jackson Lee’s staff remember her work and commitment

In the first video, the congresswoman was searching for some young, fun teenagers who would help push out information about the then-inaugural Safe Haven Law. The Safe Haven Law, passed by the Texas Legislature, was enacted to protect parents who safely surrendered their newborn infants at fire stations and hospital emergency rooms. Texas was the first state to adopt such legislation, with ‘Baby Moses’ laws later enacted nationwide.

The video aired on KPRC 2 as part of our broadcast on December 21, 1999. A public education campaign about the new law was led by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and publicly supported by the ORIGINAL Destiny’s Child featuring a young Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, LaTavia Roberson, and LeToya Luckett.

SEE ALSO: Through the years: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s background, career history in politics

Around the same time, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee yet again called on two of the group’s singers, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, to hit the streets with her around the holiday season.

The three of them were seen on KPRC 2′s broadcast, singing sweet songs of cheer and Christmas carols to families in Jackson Lee’s district.

In the video, you can hear Jackson Lee speak highly of the young singers and discuss topics important to their community.

“We’re very proud of Destiny’s Child,” Jackson Lee said before the girls started singing the Christmas classic ‘O Holy Night.’


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About the Author

Moriah Ballard joined the KPRC 2 digital team in the fall of 2021. Prior to becoming a digital content producer in Southeast Texas and a Houstonian, Moriah was an award-winning radio host in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, and previously worked as a producer/content creator in Cleveland. Her faith, family, and community are her top passions.

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