March 12, 2025 Story by: Publisher
HOUSTON — Houstonians paid respects Tuesday to former Mayor and U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner as he lay in state at City Hall, allowing the public to pay their respects to the former mayor.
Turner, 70, died on March 5 at his home in Washington, D.C., from what his family described as “enduring health complications.” He had attended President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress just the night before and was briefly hospitalized before being released. In 2022, Turner publicly shared that he had undergone surgery and radiation therapy that year for bone cancer in his jaw.
“Sylvester knew each and every community, and he treated everyone with equality and inclusion,” Whitmire said. “That’s what made him really special. He brought that public service and that message across not only our great city, but our great state.”
Residents observed a memorial at Houston City Hall, where Turner served as mayor for eight years before being elected to Congress in November. Houston Mayor John Whitmire made brief remarks to mourners and the Houston Symphony performed while visitors paid their respects.
Turner had filled the House seat held by longtime Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who died in July. Prior to becoming mayor, Turner served as a legislator in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years.
Turner is also scheduled to lie in state at the Texas Capitol beginning Thursday. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Houston.
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has not yet announced when a special election will be held for Turner’s seat.
Source: AP News
