Grassley and Boswell Honor Borlaug

Two Iowa politicians publicly praised former Iowan, Dr. Norman Borlaug. Borlaug died late Saturday night in Dallas at the age of 95, after dedicating his life to using technology to increase grain production so starving people could eat.

Democrat Rep. Leonard Boswell offered a resolution in his honor. Here's the release:

“Dr. Borlaug is one of Iowa’s and the nation’s greatest scientists and humanitarians,” said Boswell, a senior Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. “His contributions in the field of agriculture and his commitment to the human condition are credited to saving one billion from famine and outright starvation around the world.”

Dr. Borlaug’s innovative methods for breeding wheat, rice and other crops brought agricultural self-sufficiency to developing countries worldwide. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, and was later honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Public Service Medal, the National Academy of Sciences’ highest honor, the Rotary International Award for World Understanding and Peace, and the Congressional Gold Medal.

In 1986, Dr. Borlaug started the World Food Prize, also known as the “Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture,” which is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The World Food Prize is sponsored by businessman and philanthropist John Ruan, who serves as Chairman Emeritus. John Ruan III serves as Chairman of the World Food Prize.

Dr. Borlaug was born on his family farm outside Cresco, Iowa, in 1914. He received B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota where he was also a star NCAA wrestler. He later taught for over 20 years at Texas A&M University.

H.Res. 739 has 17 original co-sponsors, including Iowa Reps. David Loebsack, Bruce Braley, Tom Latham, and Steve King.

Republican Senator Charles Grassley offered this praise on the senate floor: