Turner served as the 62nd mayor of Houston. He was elected to represent the 18th Congressional District of Texas in 2024, filling a seat formerly left by Sheila Jackson Lee, who died last year.

State lawmakers on Thursday formally honored Sylvester Turner, adding to the plethora of tributes that have poured out since his death last week and ahead of his memorial on Saturday in Houston. Turner,

Friends, family and colleagues came together Thursday to honor the life of Congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner as he lied at the Texas State Capitol. Austin-based photojournalist May-Ying Lam captured moments of grief and respect for Turner’s legacy.

Turner, who most recently served as a United States Congressman, died last week at age 70 from enduring health complications. What he left behind was a lasting mark on the state’s largest municipality and a legacy as a Texas lawmaker who consistently pushed boundaries.