When informed about the passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner, Texas Southern University professor Carroll Robinson said, “What a sad day… God has called home another giant in Texas politics. A man committed to serving the common men and women of our city and his beloved Acres Homes.”
While countless others continue offering condolences to Turner’s family and friends, several are sharing their thoughts on the 18th District US Representative, former Houston mayor and state representative’s (District 139) greatest professional accomplishments.
Here’s what some Houstonians are saying.
City Pension
TSU professor Dr. Michael O. Adams says Turner will be remembered “for his almost 30-year legislative service in Texas House District 139… representing his beloved Acres Homes’ and for his two terms as Houston’s mayor.
In that latter capacity, when Turner was first elected mayor, the City of Houston wrestled with a $400 million pension issue pundits said had been a political nightmare kicked down the road by multiple previous mayoral administrations with no resolution.
“As mayor, he faced the challenges of hurricanes, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and pension reform,” said Adams.
Turner resolved the matter, placing Houston on economically sound footing.
Through the storms
If there was one word to summarize the myriad challenges Turner faced as Houston’s mayor, that word just might be “storms.”
And though he walked in doors of City Hall facing weather-related storms, health- and social justice-related storms came his way, too.
“[Turner] navigated this city through a global pandemic, social and civil unrest, housing crises and 10 federally declared disasters with grace, compassion and for what was best for the people,” stated Dr. Tiffany Thomas, Houston City Councilmember, District F. “He was the peoples’ mayor and will forever be known as that. I will miss him dearly as he and I had a strong, collaborative relationship.”
Turner also faced a few storms of criticism. These too, according to local activist/leader Dr. Abdul Haleem “Robert” Muhammad, Turner weathered.
“No matter what his critics say about his terms as mayor and what was left behind, this should be remembered: He was the mayor that got us through Hurricane Harvey, the COVID pandemic and social unrest following George Floyd’s murder,” said Muhammad. “I will always remember him for the good that he did while he was among us.”
Longevity
In boxing terms, Turner was a fighter with the stamina to “go the distance.”
“It is hard to put into words the loss of Congressman Sylvester Turner,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement. “For nearly four decades, he devoted his life to public service, standing as a pillar of strength, wisdom and unwavering commitment to Houstonians, residents of the 18th Congressional District, and all Texans.”
State Rep. Harold Dutton (District 142) witnessed that longevity up close.
“[Turner] is probably the only person with whom I was always on the same side of every issue,” said Dutton. “I was always pleased to have him join me in advancing or supporting an issue. He made sure that where his voice was needed, he was always first in line. And it didn’t matter who was on the other side.”
Man of the people
Thomas is not the only one who viewed Turner as “the people’s mayor.” So too does activist Cynthia Pharms who served as Turner’s deputy political director for his last two mayoral campaigns.
“He was a man of integrity and he cared for our seniors,” said Pharms. “I can’t think of the name of the utility bill that he got passed so the seniors would not have to pay. They had to decide either for their medication or their utilities. He got the bill passed to help them. He also took care of everyone during Hurricane Harvey. He had just gotten into office and put his boots on the ground and got to work.”
State Rep. Ron Reynolds (District 27) added: “Sylvester Turner was more than a public servant—he was a force for change, a champion for those without a voice and a guiding light in the fight for justice and equity.”
Dutton added: “He is going to be missed as much as anybody on this planet is going to be missed, and probably two times as mu
