Mickey Leland

George Thomas Leland (November 27, 1944 ? August 7, 1989), better known as Mickey Leland, was a spokesman for the hungry and poor, and later became a congressman from the Texas 18th District and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Related Topics:
November 27 - 1944 - August 7 - 1989 - Congressman - Texas - Congressional Black Caucus

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He was born in Lubbock, Texas, and obtained his bachelor's and Doctorate of Pharmacy at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Related Topics:
Lubbock - Texas - Texas Southern University

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In 1972, Texas for the first time allowed its State House and Senate seats to be elected as single-member districts. Soon after the decision, five minority candidates (dubbed the "People's Five"), including eventual winners Leland, Craig Washington and Benny Reyes ran for district seats in the Texas House of Representatives, a first for a state which, although had the legendary Barbara Jordan as a Senate member, had not seen any African-American Statesmen since Reconstruction.

Related Topics:
House - Senate - Craig Washington - Benny Reyes - Texas House of Representatives - Barbara Jordan - African-American

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He regularly led soup kitchens and became concerned with the hungry and homeless. He also worked to prevent food aid from being a political tool.

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Leland was controversial in his lifetime for espousing extreme leftist political views. Many of his colleagues considered him flamboyant for his style of dress and mannerisms, which included wearing a dashiki and eccentric hats. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/LL/fle95.html

Related Topics:
Leftist - Dashiki

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He died in a plane crash in Gambela, Ethiopia during a mission to Fugnido, Ethiopia. A total of 15 people, including Leland, died on the crash. A Federal building in Downtown Houston (which currently serves as the Congressional headquarters for his most recent successor, Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee) was named in his honor, and the International Terminal (Terminal D) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston is also named after him.

Related Topics:
Gambela - Ethiopia - Fugnido - Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee - George Bush Intercontinental Airport - Houston

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