Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution, which pays
tribute to a remarkable public servant.
Tony Hall was always extremely proud to represent his hometown of Dayton, Ohio,
and of the values he learned growing up in that community.
But Tony Hall is also very much a citizen of the world. His first job out of
college was as Peace Corps volunteer, teaching English in Thailand from 1966-1968.
He understands that it is wrong, in this age of abundance, to let anyone go
hungry - across town or across the world.
And he understands that it is by virtue of our humanity - not our citizenship
in one country or another, that we have certain inalienable rights. This belief
is what shaped his career, a career spent fighting for basic education, adult
literacy, immunization, and other child survival programs and sustainable agriculture
in other countries.
I was honored to work with Tony Hall on a number of human rights issues, particularly
on issues involving the repressive regime in China. The seriousness of purpose
and the generosity of spirit that he brought to these causes inspiration was
a constant source of encouragement in an arena where it is in short supply.
Tony never shied away from suffering, but he refused to accept it as inevitable.
As Tony said - over and over - hunger has a cure.
As a member of Congress and now, as a Ambassador to the UN Food and Agriculture
Agencies, Tony Hall has always been part of that cure.