| Washington, D.C.—Congressman Steve King today joined President Bush, House of Representatives and Senate in awarding native Iowan Norman Borlaug the Congressional Gold Medal for his promotion of high efficiency crop development all around the globe. He has become know as the “man who fed the world”. The Congressional Gold Medal has only been awarded to 139 people since George Washington was honored by Congress with its first gold medal.
Dr. Norman Borlaug is a native of Cresco, Iowa where he attended a one room country school. He went on to earn his doctorate in plant pathology and genetics in 1942. He soon after that developed disease resistant wheat varieties that revolutionized food production in countries where famine was a familiar event. In Mexico, India and Pakistan, Dr. Borlaug’s “miracle” wheat and rice and his personal work with governments to instill efficient practices are credited with saving a billion people from starvation. In 1970 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for contributing to world peace by helping to increase the world food supply.
“Dr. Borlaug is an Iowan of legendary stature. And that might be underestimating his contributions. Our fellow Iowan has joined Nelson Mandela, Elie Wiesel, Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King, Jr. as the only men and women to each receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I encourage all of our children to look to Dr. Borlaug as a role model for their lives. Iowans like him lead the nation and the world,” stated King.
Congressman Steve King (R-IA) represents Western Iowa in the United States Congress and sits on the Agriculture, Judiciary and Small Business Committees. He is also Chairman of the innovative Conservative Opportunity Society, founded by Newt Gingrich.
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