[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 36 (Monday, March 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S2856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           DR. NORMAN BORLAUG

 Mr. BOND. 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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