'Dedicated public servant': Mural honors Houston city councilman

The Houston Public Works and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) have sponsored a mural in memory of the former Houston City Councilman Larry Green, who passed away in 2018 after six years of service to his community. 

The TIRZ is a new investment idea started by the city council to cover the costs of redevelopment in certain areas.

“Thank you TIRZ 9 and the employees @HouPublicWorks for sponsoring this mini mural dedicated to our friend and former council member @GreenDistrictK. I know he is smiling down on this one,” Houston Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum tweeted.

Castex-Tatum assumed Green’s position following his death, as she represents District K on the Houston City Council, which covers part of the Texas Medical Center to the area of Houston within Fort Bend County.

"Happy swearing-in day and Happy 56th birthday LG! I still believe God orchestrated that date to let me know everything would be ok.  May 16 is always bittersweet but sweet nonetheless," Castex-Tatum said in a tweet.

"Councilman Green was a dedicated public servant who promoted economic development, planted trees, supported art and increased the number of projects throughout his district. That is how I will choose to remember him. More than anything, I ask people to continue to pray for his family, who must deal with his death every single day," Mayor Sylvester Turner stated.

Green passed away unexpectedly at age 52 from a fatal drug overdose, involving chloroethane, a recreational inhalant, and methamphetamine. The effects of such drugs can cause shallow breathing, unconsciousness and low heart rate.

Despite the cause of his death, Green is remembered fondly by his constituents and colleagues denied ever noticing any signs of substance abuse from the councilman.

Green was an attorney at Larry V. Green and Associates from November 1992-June 2006. He studied at Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law and the University of Houston.