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Jackson Lee Praises Jackson at Funeral

Appearing “on behalf of the U.S. Congress,— Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) took to the microphone at pop icon Michael Jackson’s memorial service in Los Angeles on Tuesday, praising the singer for his artistic talents and humanitarian efforts.“I cannot write music or dance or sing, but I do know an American story,— Jackson Lee said.Although her speech largely focused on Jackson’s charity work, Jackson Lee did allude to the singer’s 2005 child molestation trial. (The singer was eventually found not guilty.)“We understand the Constitution, we understand laws and we know that people are innocent unless proven otherwise,— she said, drawing significant applause from the audience.Jackson Lee also recalled Jackson’s visit to Capitol Hill in 2004, when the singer met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss efforts to eradicate HIV and AIDS and then visited wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.“What a miraculous experience to be able to listen and see Michael in action,— she recalled, noting the wounded troops were “touched by his desire to come and thank them for their sacrifice.—Jackson Lee later held up a framed copy of H.Res. 600, the bill she and Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) recently introduced to honor the singer, calling Jackson “someone who will be honored forever and forever and forever and forever.—Jackson Lee concluded her speech by offering the singer a salute. “We are the world, and we are better because Michael Joseph Jackson lived,— she said.

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