Texas Congress Sylvester Turner died one day after attending the president Donald Trump‘s addressconfirmed the Democratic chief of the Chamber.
The 70 -year -old Texas representative and former mayor of Houes died two months after taking office. His cause of death is not immediately clear.
“The family of the Democratic Caucus of the Chamber is shocked and saddened by the sudden death of the member of the Sylvester Turner Congress. Although he was newly elected to CongressThe Turner representative had a long and distinguished career in the public service and spent decades to fight for the people of Houston “, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Wednesday in a press release.
“Representative. Turner was a fighter until the end – he was Present last night To ensure that the voice of one of its voters, which is based on Medicaid, has been heard. In what would be his last message to his beloved voters last night, he reminded us “don’t play with Medicaid,” said Jeffries.
The Democrat was elected to the congress in November, filling the seat which had been held by representative Sheila Jackson Lee, who died last year after receiving a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In 2022, Turner shared his own battles with cancer, announcing that he had undergone treatment for bone cancer in his jaw.
The mayor of Houston, John Whitmire, said at a council meeting on Wednesday: “This is a shock for everyone. I will ask the Houstonians to come together. Pray for his family. Join us to celebrate this remarkable civil servant. Celebrate his life, what we will do.” The flags will be controlled in half of the staff in city buildings, he added.
Turner graduated from the University of Houston and the Harvard Law School before serving in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years from 1988. He was then elected mayor in 2015 and was re -elected in 2019.
“Throughout his career, he was known for his bipartite leadership, his dedication to his voters and his unwavering commitment to improve the life of all the Houstonians,” said his office in a statement. He leaves to mourn his “loving family, his devoted staff and many friends who cherish his wisdom, his humor and his firm dedication to the public service.”
Turner’s family is asking for intimacy, said their office. Details on commemorative services will be announced in the coming days.
Amable words have flocked for the deceased member of the Congress.
“I am deeply saddened to learn the death of the representative Sylvester Turner,” published the representative of the Mississippi Bennie Thompson on X. “Turner was”A defender of his district and his commitment to justice and the service were obvious during his short time in the congress. I pray that his family find strength and comfort during this difficult period. »»
The representative of Michigan Debbie Dingell published a tribute to X: “The member of the Congress Sylvester Turner was a colleague and a friend. His dedication to the public service has made Houston and the world a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. »»
Missouri rep. Wesley Bell poster A selfie with Turner last night. “Last night, I bapped and embraced my friend and my colleague @SylveterTurner – For any reason, (that evening), I suggested that we take a selfie, having no idea that it would be the last time that I would see it. He was a former mayor of Houston, current representative, but above all a good man, “he wrote.
“I’m just outdated. When I heard it, I fell on my knees. I can’t believe it,” Texas rep. Al Green said Axios.
Lawyer and civil rights defender Ben Crump poster: “Rest in power, the representative Sylvester Turner. A lifetime fighter for the inhabitants of the TX, he carried the torch of the legislature of the State to the mayor of Houston and, finally, at the Congress, succeeding the fire the representative Sheila Jackson Lee. His heritage of service will not be forgotten. »»
Austin Texas, Mayor Kirk Watson recommended his “real heart of a civil servant” in a touching tribute: “Hearing that my friend Sylvester Turner is very sad. I have always been touched by his compassion for people and I admired his eloquence a lot by working to help those who counted on him to get help. Sylvester was a remarkable man with the true heart of an official. He was a friend. I’m going to laugh with him and we will all miss his commitment to do good. »»