The Texas House Democratic Caucus released the following statement on the passing of former State Representative Garnet Coleman: “Garnet Coleman was part of our family. A member of the Texas House for over thirty years, he was a steward and fighter for every person in House District 147 and beyond. From Third Ward and Montrose to Downtown Houston and the Texas Capitol in Austin, he fought for every community and constituency with unending care and passion. “A legend and true leader for our caucus, he showed what it meant to live by the famous Frederick Douglass quote: ‘power concedes nothing without a demand.’ Garnet was a tireless champion for health care access, mental health services and criminal justice reform, with countless legislative successes that improved the lives of millions of Texans. Garnet worked hard to preserve the history and legacy of Texas Southern University and bring affordable housing to the community. “Most importantly, he was a friend and colleague to so many of us. Garnet was fiercely intelligent, with a mind for public policy and politics that served as an example to countless Democratic and Republican officials over the years. His love for the Texas House, and for the people of Texas, will always be remembered. His legacy lives on among the many, many lives he touched, and we will all miss him dearly.”
