Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Passing of Congressman and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement following the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner (D-TX-18): 

"I am devastated to hear of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Congressman Sylvester Turner. He was a trailblazer, a dedicated public servant, and a true champion for the people of Houston.  

"He was a native son of Houston, born and raised in Acres Home, in the same year as the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, to a soft-spoken father and a mother who picked cotton. He never forgot where he came from, which fueled his commitment to change the world. I saw this first hand from the moment I met him in the 1980s and supported him throughout his political career.

"For 27 years, my friend was a fixture in the Texas House of Representatives, a man of strong moral character who always led by example. While serving together in the Texas Legislature, I witnessed how he worked relentlessly to deliver for his constituents. As Mayor of Houston, he channeled a fearlessness and grit that allowed him to guide our city through an unprecedented seven federally declared natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. He leaves a lasting legacy of uplifting neighborhoods that were often overlooked. We are all better for his work to create a fairer, more equitable Houston.  

"When he decided to bring his service to Washington, he brought with him the hopes and needs of the historic 18th Congressional District of Texas. He was my partner in good trouble, always ready to fight fiercely for those who needed him the most. My heart is with his family and all who knew and loved him. Houston has lost a giant, but his impact will never fade. If there is one thing he loved more than the City of Houston, it was his daughter Ashley and his grandchildren. God has gained a good man in his kingdom, from Acres Home to the Promised Land. Rest in peace, my dear friend."