Sylvester Turner, former Houston mayor and current Congressman, dead at age 70 – KHOU.com
To stream KHOU 11 on your phone, you need the KHOU 11 app.Next up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoNext up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoHOUSTON — Former Houston mayor and current U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner has died at the age of 70, according to current Houston Mayor John Whitmire.Whitmire announced Turner’s passing at the beginning of Wednesday’s City Council meeting. According to Turner’s family, the former mayor did attend President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. He was then taken to the hospital but was later released. Turner died at his home in D.C. early Wednesday morning from “enduring health complications.””Congressman Turner was the consummate public servant. But to us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, sibling, and relative,” the family said in the statement.RELATED: TIMELINE: Sylvester Turner, from Acres Homes to Congress“A remarkable public servant who impacted millions of people,” Whitmire said during City Council. “He rose from poverty but never forgot where he came from. It is a terrible loss for the city and a personal loss for me. I ask Houstonians to celebrate his life.”Turner had also just made an appearance at the RodeoHouston Parade on Saturday morning.RELATED: ‘I just texted him’ | KHOU 11’s Len Cannon on his final message to Congressman Sylvester TurnerTurner represented Texas’ 18th Congressional District, a historically significant seat once held by civil rights icons such as Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Craig Washington and Sheila Jackson Lee. Following in their footsteps, Turner was committed to advancing the district’s legacy of justice, equity, and transformative public service.A lifelong Houstonian, Turner was born and raised in the Acres Homes neighborhood. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Houston before obtaining a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. His legal career began at Fulbright & Jaworski, where he worked as a trial lawyer before co-founding Barnes & Turner, a prominent law firm specializing in commercial and personal injury litigation.Turner served 27 years in the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 139. A bipartisan leader, he spent 21 years on the House Appropriations Committee and six years as Speaker Pro Tem, playing a key role in shaping the state’s fiscal policy.In 2015, Turner was elected the 62nd Mayor of Houston and was re-elected in 2019. His tenure was marked by significant challenges, including seven federally declared natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the city through complex pension reforms, reducing financial liabilities by billions, and championed initiatives to improve public safety, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity.Turner launched Houston’s first Climate Action Plan, committing the city to carbon neutrality by 2050 and reinforcing its role in global energy leadership. He chaired the Global Resilient Cities Network and served as Chair of U.S. Climate Mayors, expanding Houston’s influence in climate policy and urban resilience.Public safety was a priority under Turner’s One Safe Houston initiative, which addressed violent crime and mental health services. He also focused on quality-of-life improvements through One Clean Houston, targeting illegal dumping, and Complete Communities, a public-private effort to revitalize historically underserved neighborhoods. His Hire Houston Youth program provided over 20,000 jobs to young adults, promoting economic mobility.Nationally, Turner served as Chair of the African American Mayors Association and was a Trustee of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, further establishing his role as a leading voice in urban policy and governance.Turner was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and continued to reside in Acres Homes. He was the proud father of one daughter and grandfather of one grandson.”It is with inexpressible sadness that we, the family of Congressman Sylvester Turner, Representative for the 18th Congressional District of Texas, acknowledge his unexpected passing.”After attending the State of The Union Address in Washington, D.C. last evening, Congressman Turner was taken to the hospital and he was later released.”On Wednesday, March 5, at approximately 5:45 a.m,. he died at his home from enduring health complications. The Turner family is requesting fervent prayers from all who knew and loved him. We also request the public’s respect for our family’s privacy as we process this difficult reality.”Official communication will come from his staff at the appropriate time. Congressman Turner was the consummate public servant. But to us, he was our beloved father, grandfather, sibling, and relative. Thank you for your prayers.”More information regarding services will be forthcoming.”KHOU 11’s Len Cannon had a sit-down interview with Turner prior to the election:
