HOUSTON, TX — November 2, 2026 — Some roads take us places. Others remind us how far we’ve come.

In a heartfelt celebration of Houston history, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis joined the family of the late Commissioner El Franco Lee, elected officials, community leaders, and Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church members to unveil newly installed signs honoring the Commissioner El Franco Lee Memorial Highway.

More than a highway dedication, the ceremony celebrated a Fifth Ward son whose public service helped reshape Harris County.

The memorial designation covers U.S. Highway 59 between Interstate 10 and Loop 610. Established through House Bill 635 in 2019, authored by State Representative Harold Dutton Jr. and sponsored by State Senator Borris Miles, the recognition ensures Lee’s name remains visible to generations of Houston motorists.

From Fifth Ward Roots to Harris County History

Born January 30, 1949, El Franco Lee understood something fundamental about leadership: The measure of public service is not how high you climb, but how many people you lift along the way.

A graduate of Houston’s historic Phillis Wheatley High School who attended Texas Southern University, Lee began his political journey alongside fellow Fifth Ward trailblazer Congressman Mickey Leland.

After serving in the Texas Legislature from 1979 to 1985, Lee shattered a historic barrier in 1984, becoming the first African American elected to Harris County Commissioners Court.

He represented Precinct One from 1985 until his passing on January 3, 2016.

For more than three decades, Lee championed neighborhood parks, health care accessibility, senior services, and opportunities for underserved families.

His beloved Precinct One Street Olympics, launched in 1986, introduced thousands of Houston children to recreation, teamwork, mentorship, and community pride. His commitment also helped establish the El Franco Lee Health Center, extending medical services to communities too often overlooked.

A Legacy That Refuses to Fade

Commissioner Rodney Ellis called Lee an icon, emphasizing the importance of preserving African American history.

“When future generations of young people, whatever color they are, pass this sign, they will look up his name and ask, who was he and what did he do?”

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Mose A. Jones, who also grew up in Kelly Courts, celebrated Lee’s extraordinary contributions to Fifth Ward.

Senator Borris Miles remembered Lee’s unwavering determination to secure resources for his community, while Representative Harold Dutton Jr. highlighted his commitment to neighborhood improvement and civic participation.

Perhaps the ceremony’s most touching reflection came from El Franco Lee II, who described his father as modest and unlikely to have expected such recognition.

Though his parents could not witness the moment, he expressed confidence that they would be smiling.

More Than a Name on a Sign

For Houston, these highway signs represent something enduring: a reminder that representation matters, neighborhoods deserve investment, and meaningful leadership leaves landmarks long after a public servant’s final day in office.

 

El Franco Lee helped build bridges long before a highway carried his name.

Now, every passing vehicle offers another opportunity to remember the man, recognize his service, and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.

Learn more: Harris County Precinct One | Texas House Bill 635