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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Sylvester Turner |
| Address | 3227 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002, United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
September 27, 1954
(69 years)
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| Contributor | DFWDem |
| Last Modifed | Wishful Thinking
Mar 02, 2008 08:32pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | Proven, consistent, and experienced, Sylvester Turner has made a career of taking a positive stand on policies and issues, which affect Houstonians and the citizens of Texas. His compassionate insight into reformative issues concerning welfare, education, child care and juvenile justice has raised awareness, and evoked the praise and admiration of his state-wide colleagues in the legislature and throughout the political spectrum.
Born in Houston, Texas in 1954, the sixth of nine children, Turner was raised by his father, a commercial painter, and his mother, a maid at the Rice Hotel. As a dedicated learner and committed to academics, he was elected senior class president by his peers and awarded valedictorian of his graduating class from Klein High School. His record of accomplishments continued to expand at the University of Houston where he was Speaker of the Student Senate and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science. In addition, Turner achieved a finalist position in the Ames Moot Court Competition while obtaining a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School.
Upon graduation from law school, Turner became an associate with the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. In 1983, Turner founded his own firm, Barnes & Turner, where he continues to successfully represent both plaintiffs and defendants in breach of contract actions. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and as a seminar lecturer at the South Texas College of Law and the University of Houston Law School�s Continuing Legal Education Programs. Turner was admitted to practice in the state of Texas, federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a Member of the State Bar of Texas, American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Houston Lawyers Association and the Houston Bar Association.
Turner began his public service in the Texas Legislature in 1988 representing District 139. At the beginning of the 78th legislature, Representative Turner was named Speaker Pro Tempore by the Republican Speaker of the House. This position, the second most powerful in the House, enables him to continue his work on issues impacting education, health care, human services, consumers rights and the state budget while working to build broad coalitions that represent all Texans. As the Chairman of the Budget and Oversight of the Regulated Industries Committee, Turner served as a senior member of the Calendars and the Appropriations Committees.
Turner noted outstanding awards and recognitions include:
One of ten among �The Best of the Legislature� of the 77th session by Hispanic Journal.
Texas Classroom Teachers as a �Legislative Star,� honored for the second time in 2001 for his work in leading the fight for Texas students and teachers.
The 1995 �Star of Texas Award� from Common Cause of Texas
The 1999 �Open Government Award� from the Texas Daily Newspaper Association
The Texas Press Association for his efforts in supporting open government
�The Conscience of the 74th Legislature,� in 1995 by the Texas Legislative Study Group
The Sierra Club�s �State Legislative Award� for work on environmental issues
The Texas House of Representatives �Crime Fighter of the Year Award� from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
One of the Outstanding Young Houstonians for 1990 by the Houston Jaycees.
Turner is committed to numerous civic and educational causes and has been involved with organizations such as the Coalition for School Improvement, Northeast Area YMCA, United Negro College Fund, the Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce, Hester House, Houston Metropolitan Ministries, Acres Homes War Against Drugs Committee, and the Board of the American Cancer Society, Texas Center for Adolescent Rehabilitation & Education, Inc. and Neighborhood Centers.
Because Sylvester Turner has maintained the philosophy of being Consistent, Resilient, Positive and Proven, he remains a dedicated public advocate of improving the well-being and lives of the citizens and continues to always be there when needed.
He is a member of Brookhollow Baptist Church, and the proud father of Ashley Paige Turner.
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