South Side in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
George Thomas "Mickey" Leland III
Elected to the Texas House of Representatives at age 27, Leland represented Houston for six years, focusing on civil rights, voting rights, generic drugs and affordable health care. A trip to Tanzania in 1973, his first outside the U.S., changed his life forever. After seeing the widespread devastation of famine, Leland focused his political influence to alleviate hunger on a global scale. In 1978, he was elected to the U.S. Congress from the 18th District, the seat vacated by Barbara Jordan. In 1984, he helped create the House Select Committee on World Hunger to address social and economic issues. He later secured an aid package of $784 million for famine relief. Leland also fought against apartheid in South Africa through sanctions and protests.
On August 7, 1989, Congressman Leland and 15 others died in a plane crash in bad weather, while on a relief mission to Sudanese refugee camps in Ethiopia. A son, brother, husband, and father of three sons, he is remembered on TSU's campus with the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs and Mickey Leland Center on Hunger, Poverty and World Peace. Other Houston sites named for him include the international airport terminal, the federal building, a prep school and a community park. He led by example in fighting for justice, and his influence reached around the world.
Erected 2021 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23333.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is August 7, 1989.
Location. 29° 43.322′ N, 95° 21.442′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the South Side. Marker can be reached from Cleburne Street, 0.1 miles south of Tierwester Street. The marker is located on the campus of the Texas Southern University, near the west entrance to the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Barbara Charline Jordan (a few steps from this marker); The Murals of Hannah Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); John Thomas Biggers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ (approx. half a mile away); Trinity United Methodist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Jordan Grove Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Sam (Lightnin’) Hopkins (approx. 0.9 miles away); Blue Triangle Branch, Y.W.C.A. Building (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . . Leland, George Thomas [Mickey] (1944–1989). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
In 1972, supported by philanthropist John de Menil, Leland was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He was reelected twice for two-year terms in the House. During this time he worked as the director of special development projects for Herman Hospital and functioned as the vice president of King State Bank. Leland is especially remembered in the Texas House for promoting legislation that allowed for the prescription of generic drugs and fostered state employment opportunities for minorities.(Submitted on November 12, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 12, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.