Mickey Leland
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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.
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.
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. [1] (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/LL/fle95.html)
He died in a plane crash in Gambela, Ethiopia during a mission to Fugnido, Ethiopa. A total of 15 people, including Leland, died on the crash. The International Terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston is named after him.
External links
- Biography of Mickey Leland (http://www.usaid.gov/regions/afr/leland/newbio.htm)