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Senator Bond Senate Floor Statement on Norman Borlaug
US Senate
March 22, 2004
Mr. President, it is my distinct privilege to rise today to pay special
tribute to the one of the world's foremost physiologists, Dr. Norman Borlaug.
Dr. Borlaug is widely credited as the father of the 1960s Green Revolution,
a movement that has continued to cure hundreds of millions of people around
the globe from starvation. It is very likely that Dr. Borlaug is directly
responsible for saving more lives than anyone else in the twentieth century.
Born in Cresco, IA on March 25, 1914, Dr. Borlaug was raised on livestock
farm before attending the University of Minnesota as a biology student
and a member of the University's wrestling team. After graduation, in
addition to being inducted to the University's Hall of Fame for his wrestling
record, Dr. Borlaug carefully balanced teaching while successfully working
on the development of several new strains of disease-resistant wheat.
The new strand of wheat went on to be widely utilized in Mexico, Pakistan,
and India and led to dramatic increases in food production, in turn earning
Dr. Borlaug the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. The Dallas Morning News attests
his lifelong dedication to physiology to growing up among the food shortages
of the Great Depression: ``The sight of farm failures, sheriff's sales
and hungry children would stay with him and influence his choices for
the rest of his life.'' Dr. Borlaug added in his own words, ``I saw all
that unfold. And I think that had something to do with how things turned
out.''
Dr. Borlaug has certainly earned the right to slow down after his many
years of hard work, but he continues, even at age 90, to a be a leader
in the development and implementation of new technologies, in effect,
ensuring the world's most needy adequate food supplies. He often travels
to Asia and Africa, Europe and Latin America to help the public understand
the value and potential of new biotechnology, while respecting and preserving
the environment. In addition to his efforts globally, Dr. Borlaug is helping
farmers make a living by leading the fight against wealthy and well-fed
anti-technology protectionists in Europe.
Some would rest after a Nobel Peace Prize and many others would certainly
take the opportunity to reward themselves and their family--deservedly--by
answering lucrative offers from the private sector. In a world where 800
million children are hungry and even more live on less than one dollar
a day, Dr. Borlaug has never stopped fighting, teaching, inventing, or
caring. It is clear that Dr. Borlaug is inspired by the rewards his efforts
yield for others.
Missouri's renowned plant scientist, George Washington Carver words
are appropriate when used to describe Dr. Borlaug : ``No individual has
any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving behind
him distinct and legitimate reasons for having passed through it.'' So
very few of a talented world, billions strong, have met this test to the
extent that Dr. Borlaug has. He has selflessly and tirelessly developed
his gifts from God on behalf of millions and billions of desperate people
he does not know, and who will never know whom to thank.
I also thank Mrs. Borlaug and the rest of the Borlaug family, on the
behalf of the people of the State of Missouri, America, and throughout
the world, for sharing Norman's attention for all these years.
Dr. Borlaug will soon gain status as the world's youngest 90 year old.
I speak for all in thanking him for his lifelong dedication to agriculture
and I sincerely wish him a happy birthday. The world owes Dr. Borlaug
endless amounts of gratitude and we will look forward to celebrating his
achievements again on his 100th birthday.
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