Mickey Leland, a Democratic Representative from Texas, was born on this day in Lubbock, Texas. A passionate advocate for the poor and underrepresented, Leland was known for his work in fighting hunger, both domestically and globally. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 until his death in 1989.
Tragically, on August 7, 1989, Leland died in a plane crash in southwestern Ethiopia while on a humanitarian mission to deliver food and aid to famine-stricken areas. His legacy lives on through the Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship and numerous initiatives focused on global food security and social justice.
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