Sylvester Turner's battle with cancer compelled him to fight for health care during his brief tenure in Congress.

U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, who rose from a kid in Acres Homes to serve as Houston’s mayor for eight years and was elected to Congress last year, has died.

Former Houston Mayor and U.S. Congressman Sylvester Turner has died, according to U.S. representatives and a Houston council member.