HOUSTON — Although Angela Hernandez only met the former mayor one time, he left an impression on her that she will never forget.

“He was fierce when it comes to advocating for Baislee and families like ours,” Hernandez said. “But behind the scenes he was humble and down to earth.”

Their first and last meeting was Tuesday night. She was invited to be Congressman Sylvester Turner’s guest to the President’s speech before Congress, as she was one of Turner’s constituents. She was also the face of family that relies on Medicaid to survive.

Angela’s 2-year-old daughter, Baislee, was born with a rare genetic condition that will require her to have intense, life-long care.

“He wanted to make sure I was comfortable, that his team wasn’t walking too fast for me, and that I was seen and I was heard,” Hernandez said.

She spent time with Turner before the speech where she says he allowed her to take the attention by placing her at the center before reporters.

After that, the two parted ways to take their seats, Turner on the House floor, and Hernandez in the gallery.

“He seemed fine, but at the end of the night he seemed a little tired, but we all were because it was a long day,” she said.

After the speech, Hernandez says she did not see congressman again and went to her hotel for the night.

She got a call with the sad news from Turner’s staff on Wednesday morning.

“His team was going to pick me up to take me to the airport so I thought it was in regards to that,” she said. “Initially I was in shock but extremely emotional because the last thing he was doing was making sure that Baislee’s story got told and so I felt incredibly honored that even in his last moments he was still fighting.”