The Houston City Council stood in recess until 10 a.m. in honor of the longtime public servant.
Former Houston mayor and current Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas) died at the age of 70, according to family and city officials who mourned his passing.
Whitmire described Turner as a âremarkable public servantâ with a humble background who positively impacted millions.
The Houston City Council stood in recess until 10 a.m. in honor of Turner.
His family said he died from âenduring health complications,â but did not provide further details.
His family said that, during the speech he was taken to a hospital and later released. They said he passed away at home at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday.
âCongressman Turner was the consummate public servant. But to us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, sibling and relative. Thank you for your prayers,â the family said in a statement.
Turner was mayor of Houston for eight years and served in the Texas House of Representatives for 27 years. Several months ago, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Texasâs 18th Congressional District.
Condolences poured in on social media and in public statements.
âThe House Democratic Caucus family is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner. Though he was newly elected to the Congress, Rep. Turner had a long and distinguished career in public service and spent decades fighting for the people of Houston,â House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also took to social media to mourn Turnerâs death.
Other condolences poured in on social media.
Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb said he was âdevastatedâ by Turnerâs passing.
Some of Turnerâs accomplishments as mayor include shepherding a bipartisan package into law that helped address Houstonâs rising pension debt. He was also active in the area of police reform.
Speaking at City Hall in Houston on March 5, Whitmire praised Turner as an âoutstanding public officialâ whose loss would be deeply felt.
âExperience matters, folks,â Whitmire said. âNo one will be able to step into Sylvesterâs shoes and carry on his duties because thereâs only one Sylvester Turner.â
âIâm a better speaker because of Sylvester,â Whitmire continued. âYou just canât understand what itâs like to be in an African American, a black church on Sunday morning with everyone enjoying the service and have to follow Sylvester Turner speaking.
âHe will bring out the best in you in public service.â
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Original News Source Link â Epoch Times
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