1989 - Congressman George Thomas "Mickey" Leland dies
On August 6, 1989, Congressman George Thomas “Mickey” Leland tragically died in a plane crash in Ethiopia. He was aboard a cargo plane that crashed while he was on a humanitarian mission to help with famine relief. Leland was a prominent African American politician from Texas, known for his advocacy on civil rights and social justice issues. He had served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1979, representing the 18th congressional district of Texas. His untimely death was a major loss, and he is remembered for his commitment to addressing issues such as hunger and poverty both domestically and globally.
1989 - Congressman George Thomas "Mickey" Leland dies
On August 4, 1989, Congressman George Thomas “Mickey” Leland tragically died in a plane crash. He was a U.S. Representative from Texas, known for his advocacy on behalf of the poor, minority communities, and his leadership in humanitarian efforts.
Leland was on a humanitarian mission to Ethiopia when the plane he was aboard, a McDonnell Douglas DC-3, crashed in a remote area of the country. All passengers, including Leland, were killed. His death was deeply mourned by his constituents and many others who admired his work in Congress and his dedication to addressing issues like hunger, poverty, and civil rights.
