HOUSTON — Congressman Sylvester Turner had an uncanny ability to reach across the aisle and get things done for Houston. As mayor, his close friendship with former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett was proof of that. 

They were politicians of different parties but forged a close relationship through the years, one that became closer as partners during one of Houston’s darkest times.

“Oliver Wendell Holmes had a quote about those who had gone through the Civil War and said ‘we have shared the incommunicable experience of war, ‘” said Emmett. “Sylvester and I shared the incommunicable experience of Harvey and the disaster, but what made it different with him, and hopefully with me too was, it was never about him.”

Emmett now remembering how that friendship was forged stronger in a flood. 

“The Harvey experience was made so much easier because Sylvester and I had known each other for many years, so it was just two longtime friends able to look at each other and go, OK, we’ve got to get through this and how can we talk to residents of this area jointly. It was made so much easier because of his personality,” he said.

The sudden news of Turner’s death came as a shock to the former Harris County Judge. 

“I was driving to a meeting when I got the call early this morning, and frankly, it was a bit emotional because I’ll miss seeing him,” said Emmett. 

Emmett said Turner was a rare leader who found a way to work with everyone for the benefit of his community. 

“He just always had a smile on his face,” said Emmett. “He was always willing to give out hugs and handshakes, and he was just somebody you could sit down and talk to about family and about things other than politics, and that made it easy to work with him.”

Emmett said he spoke to Turner shortly before he went up to Congress and asked him. “Are you sure you want to do this?” and jokingly told him to go enjoy life for a little bit, but Emmett said Turner’s decision to serve again proved he was a dedicated public servant to the very end.