DON HORN

1920-2007

Don Horn served for 30 years as Secretary-Treasurer of the Harris County AFL-CIO, during which he was synonymous with the labor movement in Houston. 

Brother Horn joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1945, embarking on a 50-year career in which he participated in every labor arena, including organizing, negotiating, community service, politics and lobbying. A decorated military veteran, elder in his church, Boy Scout leader, presidential task force appointee, gubernatorial appointee several times over, and United Way volunteer of the year, Horn brought excellence to an endeavor in which he participated. As part of his service on state boards, Brother Horn initiated a statewide examination of nursing home practices and helped improve the state’s system of indigent health care. 

Horn has served as a mentor literally to hundreds of labor activists in Texas, building a reputation for, in the words of one nominator, “wisdom, clarity and constant dedication” that has persisted in his outstanding efforts at organizing labor retirees in Texas.