The city of Houston and the state of Texas are collectively mourning the sudden passing of Sylvester Turner, the former mayor of Houston and a recently elected congressman. As a tribute to his years of devoted public service, Turner will lie in state at the Texas Capitol. Today, the Texas House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution to grant this posthumous honor, with Turner's body set to lie in the Hall of Representatives on March 13 and 14, as reported by Click2Houston.
Having served in the House for close to three decades prior to his tenure as mayor, Turner's influence and legacy within Texas politics are considerable. After Turner's death, at the age of 70, was announced, all members of the state House, put forth by Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), voted for this act of respect. In her measure, Thompson stated, "The House has learned with sadness of the death of the Honorable Sylvester Turner," detailing the response in Chron.
Turner, who served as Speaker Pro Tempore three times during his legislative career, passed away yesterday morning from what appears to be natural causes in his D.C. apartment. After attending President Trump's address to Congress, he was taken to the hospital. In the wake of his death, his daughter Ashley requested privacy as the family copes with this difficult loss, highlighting the personal grief surrounding the Turner family.
Politicians, loved ones, and members of the public will be invited to pay their respects during the two-day period. Turner, who was recently elected to represent the 18th Congressional District following the death of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee last year, leaves behind a political and personal legacy. His decades of service are recognized by the community in Austin, as noted in statements from state representatives remembering his work.
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