 The long-serving, often outspoken Democrat was diagnosed last month with pancreatic cancer, 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. That is George Williams reporting. Thousands of workers at Disney's theme park and resort properties in California voted to authorize a potential strike.