Makings Of A Politician: The Life, Values, and Legacy of Mickey Leland
In a political era, often defined by partisanship, ambition, and self-interest, the life and legacy of Congressman Mickey Leland stands testament to what public service can and should be. Mickey Leland was not only a policymaker—he was a humanitarian, a coalition builder, and an unwavering advocate for the poor and powerless. His life raises a compelling question: What truly makes a politician? For Mickey Leland, the answer was empathy, courage, and an unshakeable commitment to justice.
George Thomas Leland, was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1944, and raised in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Mickey Leland grew up witnessing poverty firsthand. His experiences in this underserved Black neighborhood would formulate his moral compass, and command his lifelong mission to eradicate hunger and uplift the marginalized and forgotten communities. After graduating from Texas Southern University with a degree in pharmacy, Leland’s early activism was rooted in civil rights and social justice. By the early 70s, he had entered the Texas State Legislature, and in 1978, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding the legendary 
Barbara Jordan. As a congressman, Leland’s values and ethics were unmistakable. He championed policies to fight poverty, hunger, and health inequity, both domestically and abroad. He co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus’ Task Force on Hunger and was instrumental in launching the Select Committee on Hunger, which he chaired. But his greatest political strength was not just in drafting legislation—he built bridges. Leland was a master of bipartisan collaboration. He saw hunger and poverty not as partisan issues, but as human issues. He worked across the aisle to garner support for food aid programs and international relief efforts. His diplomacy, compassion, and charisma enabled him to bring together unlikely allies—liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats—to confront the moral urgency of human suffering.
On August 7, 1989, Congressman Mickey Leland tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Ethiopia while leading a humanitarian mission to deliver aid to famine-stricken regions. All 16 individuals aboard the aircraft perished in the accident. The passengers comprised a diverse group of dedicated professionals and volunteers committed to alleviating hunger across the world. The loss of Congressman Leland and his companions was deeply felt across the United States and the international community. Their dedication to humanitarian causes and efforts to combat hunger continue to inspire ongoing work in these critical areas.
Addressing Hunger In The Horn of Africa
MICKEY LELAND WITH OTHERS ON AFRICAN-ETHIOPIA TRIPS;1987
Ethiopia was entangled in Civil War in the early 80s, following the overthrow of Haile Selassie. As the internal conflict plummeted the country into turmoil, various regional factions raised arms against the Soviet-supported Derg regime, that relinquished power from Selassie. Subsequently, a deadly famine immolated the country and its people, being weaponized by the Derg. The dictatorship blocked vital food aid from reaching areas controlled by opposing forces, bombed food convoys, and destroyed villages and key agriculture. Targeted displacement and villagization programs disrupted traditional agriculture and livelihoods for millions of people. Mickey Leland and other American dignitaries visited the region to raise awareness and support the growing refugee population. Through his efforts, $1billion in humanitarian aid was mobilized towards the famine. 
He secured expanded funding for programs under USAID and “Food for Peace,” and as chairman of the House Select Committee on Hunger, he lead fact finding missions to Africa, worked with NGOs, U.N. agencies, and faith-based organizations, and promoted long-term solutions to food insecurity, not just emergency aid. In August 1989, Leland organized and led a humanitarian delegation to a refugee camp in Gambela, western Ethiopia to assess conditions of Sudanese refugees and help deliver food and medical aid. On August 7th, his plane crashed in the mountains of western Ethiopia, killing all on board. The group was en route to the Fugnido refugee camp near the Sudanese border when their plane crashed into a mountainside in a remote, mountainous region of western Ethiopia. The crash site was located approximately 75 miles east of the camp. U.S. military helicopters and personnel were involved in the search and recovery operations, which were hampered by challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Passengers and Crew on Board
American Citizens:
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Congressman Mickey Leland (D-Texas): Chairman of the House Select Committee on Hunger and a prominent advocate for the poor and hungry
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Patrice Yvonne Johnson: Chief of Staff to Congressman Leland, known for her commitment to social justice and legal advocacy.
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Hugh Anderson Johnson Jr.: Member of Leland’s staff, dedicated to international humanitarian efforts.
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Joyce Francine Williams: Aide to Rep. Ronald V. Dellums (D-Calif.) and an expert on child nutrition
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Y. Ivan Tillem: New York investment banker, lawyer, publisher, and friend of Leland
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Robert Woods: Political and economic officer at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa.
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Gladys Gilbert: Special projects officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
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Thomas Worrick: Acting USAID representative in Ethiopia.
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Roberta Worrick: Wife of Thomas Worrick, an accomplished writer who published under the pen name Maria Thomas
Ethiopian Nationals:
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Debebe Agonofer: Ethiopian agricultural economist with the USAID mission.
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Three Ethiopian officials whose names were not publicly disclosed.
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Three-member Ethiopian flight crew.
His death was a devastating loss not only for his constituents in Texas but for the global fight against poverty and hunger. And yet, his values endure. In naming federal buildings, scholarships, and hunger programs after him, the nation has tried to honor his legacy. But the most vital tribute is to carry his work forward. To keep Leland’s values alive means more than remembering his name. It means listening to those on the margins. It means reaching across divides for the common good. It means understanding that power, when guided by conscience, can be a force for healing.
Remembering Mickey Leland
Today, at a time when public discourse is fractured and empathy is in short supply, Mickey Leland’s example reminds 
us that politics, at its best, is about service, dignity, and shared humanity. His approach to governance—rooted in moral clarity, cross-party collaboration, and lived experience—offers a blueprint for a more compassionate and effective democracy. Leland set a standard for reaching across the isle to political adversaries to implement common sense change, and compassionate leadership. In death, his impact reaffirms the charitable attributes of American identity. Mickey Leland showed us what makes a great politician. The question now is: can we follow his lead?
We remember Mickey Leland with great admiration, knowing that his commitment to justice and equality made the world a safer place.