Longtime former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner honored at City Hall
Sylvester Turner lies in state at Houston City Hall
The community remembered former Congressman and mayor Sylvester Turner as he lies in state at Houston City Hall. Several colleagues and mourners stopped by to pay their respects.
HOUSTON - The doors of Houston City Hall were opened to mourners who wanted to honor the life and legacy of former Congressman and Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner on Tuesday.
Turner, who passed away on March 5, was mayor of Houston for eight years, from 2016 to 2024.
Mourners shared stories and talked about their memories of the former mayor.
Houston honors Sylvester Turner
What we know:
Turner's family has invited the public to pay respects and anyone who wishes to attend can come to the first floor of the rotunda at 901 Bagby Street.
The service will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A Houston Symphony string quartet will perform ambient music inside the rotunda as people pay their respects.
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Members of the public are invited to sign the book of condolence at the entrance to City Hall.
Visitors are asked not to stop in the rotunda to talk, take photographs, or video so that the line continues to move without delay.
Timeline:
9 a.m.: Combined Honor Guard of the Houston Fire, and Houston Police posted colors at the front steps of City Hall (facing Smith Street
9:01 a.m.: Mayor Whitmire will make brief remarks and ask the Combined Honor Guard of the Houston Fire and Houston Police Departments to lead the Council Members, dignitaries, and guests into the City Hall Rotunda to pay respects to the late Congressman and former Houston mayor.
The City Hall rotunda will remain open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11.
What they're saying:
"What was special about Sylvester, he had that can do attitude," said Houston mayor John Whitmire.
"I think it was an honor that he was willing to step up for the 18th [district] first, because it is a heavy burden to serve at that level and he had other things on his plate," said Erica Lee Carter, who represented Texas' 18th district after her mother, Sheila Jackson Lee died. "He had such a passion for policy and for our city that he was willing to serve one more time."
"Sylvester was not just a statesman and a state representative and just a mayor, but he was a community person. He loved the 44," said City Councilman Willie Davis.
The Source: Information from this article was provided by the City of Houston.