Washington, DC – Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement upon the news of the death of Congressman Sylvester Turner:

The 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.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Congressman Turner was an accomplished attorney, going on to open a law firm that remains a mainstay in the community. For 27 years, Sylvester served in the Texas House of Representatives where he fought for Houstonians on the pivotal Appropriations Committee and served as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms. For eight years, Sylvester boldly led the city of Houston as its 62nd Mayor, while serving as a leader within the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the African American Mayors Association.

As the Representative for the 18th Congressional District in Texas, Sylvester followed in the hallowed footsteps of trailblazers like the great Barbara Jordan and our late sister, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. We all stand on the shoulders of these incredible giants and join Texans in mourning the tremendous loss of another iconic leader. Like those before him, Rep. Turner was a fighter until the end – he was present yesterday evening to ensure that the voice of one of his constituents, who relies on Medicaid, was heard. In what would be his final message to his beloved constituents last night he reminded us “don’t mess with Medicaid.”

The entire House Democratic Caucus family is praying for the Turner family and staff, as well as the City of Houston. May he forever rest in power.

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