Washington, DC—Below is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther on the passing of former Houston (TX) Mayor Sylvester Turner, who served two terms as mayor from 2016-2024 and was a USCM Trustee from 2019-2024.
“Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of our dear friend and former colleague, Sylvester Turner. He was a giant among us, who time and again was the Conference’s guiding light. Though soft-spoken with a gentle temperament, he was a powerful leader who led with compassion and moral clarity. A man of resilience and integrity, Sylvester never forgot his roots and where he came from, dedicating his life’s work to uplifting those around him. On behalf of the nation’s mayors, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and all those who had the privilege of calling him a friend. May his legacy endure.”