Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) looks mighty good for a woman who has to be at least 148 years old.
My take on her age is based on a statement the Congresswoman made today while objecting to impending spending reductions relating to sequestration in which she characterized herself as "a freed slave." Slavery as a legal institution ended in the U.S. in 1865 at the end of the Civil War. Here is what Ms. Jackson Lee said, in context (HT Rush Limbaugh):
We are at the bone almost. And sequester that is across-the-board cuts will literally destroy us and put us in a recession.
I don't want to hear the fact that the president is divisive. The President is leading and he has led well. The American people are listening. When are our friends on the other side of the aisle going to listen? I want to challenge this body to be the kind of "Lincolness attitude."
As yesterday was the official birthday of President Lincoln, February 12, and although it was a tragic time in our history, I can assure you that it shows the greatest promise of America when people could come together and do something great. I stand here as a freed slave because this Congress came together.
I suspect that at least a few of those represented by Sheila Jackson Lee in Congress might tell us that it feels like she's been around for 148 years or so.
I don't expect the rest of the press to notice this, as there are so many more important things to cover. (/sarc)
Oh, look -- Marco Rubio is drinking water!
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
