Houstonians pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

HOUSTON – Former South African president Nelson Mandela may be gone, but he's not forgotten.

Less than two years after his release from spending 27 years  as a political prisoner, Nelson Mandela ended his 1991 tour in the United States with a stop in Houston.

Mandela was president of the anti-apartheid African National Congress and received the Carter-Menil Award for human rights at Rothko Chapel alongside former president Jimmy Carter.

State Senator Rodney Ellis saw Mandela during that award presentation. In attendance was also attended by then-governor Ann Richards. It was one of several times the legislator would cross paths with Mandela.

"I just loved the man out of all experiences I've had in my life and the people I've met he's the most remarkable," said Sen. Richards.

While in Houston, Mandela also received the honorary degree of doctorate of Humane Letters presented by the President of Texas Southern University.

Mandela told reporters during his trip to Houston that it was a city he always wanted to visit.