When I think of Sylvester, more than anything else, I think of love. He loved everything he did, and he loved everybody he worked with — even when he was working against them. Today is Mayor Turner’s 72nd birthday. I’m honored to have known him as a close friend for over 50 of those years, going all the way back to his ninth-grade year. He grew up dreaming on the Number 44 bus from Acres Homes to downtown. He would look at those tall buildings and imagine a future where he belonged in the rooms where decisions were made. What made him special was that he did not dream only for himself. He dreamed for all of us. Happy birthday Sylvester.

Today, my office was honored to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with “Nuestra Historia, Nuestro Futuro: A Celebration of Latino Leadership & Legacy,” in partnership with LULAC District VIII and the Consul General of Mexico in Houston. From the unveiling of our newest Moving Monument honoring the second Mexican President and slavery abolitionist, Vicente Guerrero, to the Hispanic and Latino History ArtWalk, we were proud to celebrate the local art, stories, and community leadership that make our county thrive.

At a time when some people are working to divide us and narrow the definition of who belongs, choosing to become an American citizen is an act of faith and patriotism. This morning, I was honored to co-host a celebration with Harris County Housing & Community Development and the National Partnership for New Americans to recognize some of our newest citizens as they embark on this next chapter of their lives. Thank you to the many community partners who support new citizens in their journeys, including BakerRipley, Justice for All Immigrants (JFAI), the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP), and the Houston Immigrant Legal Services Collaborative (HILSC).

Words can’t fully convey what the loss of Garnet Coleman means for his beloved family, his cherished Third Ward community, our city and all of Texas. Licia and I extend our deepest condolences to the Coleman family—Angelique, Austin, and Evan—who he loved so dearly. This loss cuts deep. I loved Garnet like a brother, will miss him always, and remain ever grateful for the decades of friendship we shared. It was an honor to serve alongside him in the Texas Legislature. Garnet Coleman was a true statesman, a masterful legislator, and a champion for the people he served. Throughout his storied career in the Texas legislature, he put his brilliance, passion and dedication to work for everyday Texans—opening paths to higher education for underserved students, expanding access to Medicaid, leading the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and fighting for the passage of the Sandra Bland Act. His expertise in and advocacy for mental health care was unmatched in the legislature. Millions of lives have been made better by Garnet Coleman, and his legacy will endure for generations. May he rest well and in power. His work for justice is done, ours continues.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Max A. Miller Jr., Pastor of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church and President of the Baptist Ministers’ Association of Houston and Vicinity, on his election as President of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America. Rev. Dr. Miller’s leadership and service continue to make an impact across our faith and civic communities. We celebrate this well-deserved honor and wish him continued success in this new role. Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Miller!

September is Aortic Disease Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating patients, families, healthcare professionals and communities about diseases affecting the aorta, the body’s largest organ. Among the most serious of these conditions is aortic dissection, a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate recognition and treatment. Learn more about this condition and the signs leading up to it—this knowledge could save the life of someone you know: blogs.bcm.edu/2026/09/17/aor…

Houston is better because of the life and work of Rabbi Samuel E. Karff. As one of the “Three Amigos,” Rabbi Karff helped bring faith leaders together in 1982 to address homelessness and played a key role in the founding of the Coalition for the Homeless. He was a steadfast advocate for civil rights, equality, and social justice, and his commitment to serving others left a lasting mark on our community. We honor Rabbi Karff’s legacy and keep him in our hearts.

Tomorrow morning at T.C. Jester Park, Harris County Public Health’s mobile health unit will be providing prostate cancer screenings for residents. No appointment needed, and these are free to all those who qualify. 📅 Saturday, September 19th ⏰ 7 – 10 A.M. 📍 T.C. Jester Park, 4201 T C Jester Blvd., Houston, TX 77018 To learn more about this and future mobile health events, visit: hcphtx.org/mobilehealth

This is unacceptable. No project, dollar, or deadline is worth a human life. That's one of the reasons why we created the Harris County Worksite Safety Policy, which went into effect last July.

This budget is not perfect. We were forced to make hard choices with limited resources, and we can’t meet every need. But we made investments to protect our communities, save money downstream, keep people safe, and defend the local services residents need more than ever. Despite the challenges we face, Harris County has a responsibility to the people we serve.

Today is National Voter Registration Day! 🗳️ To vote in Texas in the upcoming November 3 election, eligible voters must be registered by Monday, October 5, 2026. Harris County residents: Download an application, check your voter registration status, and review eligibility requirements at hctax.net. Already registered and need to update your info? Visit VoteTexas.gov.

Donald Trump's plot to use our mail system to undermine the freedom to vote has been stopped, but the fight to defend voting rights continues. We must exercise our right to vote and fight any attempt to suppress it.

Texans deserve public servants who respect the people they seek to represent. Bo French’s racism is disqualifying. Every leader who excuses this bigotry or stays silent helps normalize it. We must reject it plainly and completely. khou.com/article/news/politi…

Today, my office hosted the National Action Network’s AI Fluency Initiative workshop, a hands-on session to increase digital literacy and give community members practical experience using artificial intelligence responsibly. Thank you, @TheRevAl, for joining us.