Texas Democratic Party Statement on Passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner

AUSTIN, Texas  – Today the Texas Democratic Party mourns the loss of Congressman Sylvester Turner, who served Texans in public life for more than 35 years as a member of the state legislature, mayor of Houston, and U.S. Representative.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“Sylvester Turner was Houston through and through. He was a fighter whose unwavering advocacy guided decades of service to the great state of Texas.

“As a student, Sylvester lived through integration and became his school district’s first Black valedictorian and student body president. The public servant he’d become stayed true to the values of fortitude and perseverance that guided him then. He was the kind of Texan who worked hard, lived out courage in the face of adversity, and believed that the ties that bind us will always be stronger than the forces that divide us.

“He was a fighter for the vulnerable and always a champion for Houston. Today we honor Congressman Turner’s legacy and the advocacy that he embodied each day. May he rest in peace.”

Texas Democratic Party Treasurer Odus E. Evbagharu issued the following statement:

“It is with a heavy heart that I reflect on the passing of my dear friend and a mentor, Congressman Sylvester Turner. Sylvester embodied the spirit of Houston – resilient, compassionate, and unwavering in the face of challenges like Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. As both a leader and a symbol of our city’s strength, he guided Houston through some of its darkest hours with unmatched determination. His legacy will forever be etched in the fabric of our community.

“In times of great adversity, Congressman Turner leaned on faith, reminding us all of the power of resilience. As it says in Isaiah 40:31, ‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ Sylvester’s strength and commitment to Houston were a true testament to this verse. He will be missed by many. Rest in power, thy good and faithful servant.”

Congressman Sylvester Turner:

After graduating from the University of Houston and Harvard Law School, Sylvester Turner served as an adjunct professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and advocated for Houstonians as an attorney in private practice. In 1989, he was elected to represent Texas House District 139, a seat he held for more than 25 years. Turner served for 8 years as the 62nd mayor of Houston, leading the city through unprecedented challenges like Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through his storied career of public service, Turner fought for Black Americans’ civil rights, LGBTQ+ freedoms, access to abortion care, and to expand the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid access for all Texans. A steadfast ally and close friend of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Turner was deeply committed to her vision of justice and equity. Following her tragic passing last year, he was elected to Texas' 18th Congressional District after vowing to honor her legacy by fighting for social justice, criminal justice reform, and public education.

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