 after which she wrote in a statement in part quote my adult life has been defined by my faith in god my love for humanity and my commitment to public service unquote she had represented her houston-based district since 1995 from the beginning of her tenure in congress she served in the high-profile house judiciary committee until 2019. in reaction to her passing texas governor greg abbott posted an online tribute on x saying quote her legacy of public service and dedication to texas will live on