He did not know specifically, where they were buried or who they were, but when he told Fort Bend ISD, local and state officials and anyone else who would or would not listen, he was ridiculed, ignored and disrespected. He did not allow the dismissive words, the disbelief or disrespect to deter him; he persevered. Reginald attended FBISD Board meetings, he contacted the Texas Historical Commission, Fort Bend County and other entities, but his pleads mostly fell on deaf ears. However, on February 19, 2018, while excavating soil to build a wing of the James Reese Career and Technical Center, a backhoe operator unearthed skeletal remains. After the initial denial that the bones were human, it was later determined the bones were of human beings. After much research and analysis, it was determined that those remains were most likely victims of forced labor, also known as convict leasing that was in operation at the site. Reginald was right!

The question has been asked, “How did he know?” Mr. Moore conducted his own research at libraries, reviewed records, asked questions, he’d worked as a Corrections Officer at two of the Jester Prison Units located in Fort Bend County, Texas. In addition to being a preservationist, historian, community activist, he was a spiritual man, that’s how he knew there were bodies buried at the site! He lived his life for others based on Luke 4:18. Reginald spoke for those who had no voice and never had a voice in their own plight. He did not disregard these human beings, neither should we; he fought for their recognition and remembrance by advocating for a museum to honor them, and that others are educated about the atrocities that occurred under the convict leasing system. Reginald Moore was the first “Friend of the Sugar Land 95”; those of us left behind must continue the work to educate others and to build the museum; we cannot let the vision die; we cannot forget them. 

The Friends of the Sugar Land 95 pay tribute to the First Friend, Reginald Moore, for his advocacy, empathy, perseverance, and his tireless work to give the voiceless a voice, which he did until his death July 3, 2020.