Friends of the World Food Program Honors Congressional Leaders for Efforts to End Hunger Representatives Emerson (R-MO) and McGovern (D-MA) Recognized for Their Dedication to Eradicate Child Hunger in Developing Countries
WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Friends of the World Food Program (Friends of WFP) hosted its seventh annual awards ceremony - Honoring Leaders in the Fight Against Hunger - on Tuesday, July 8 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Representatives Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) were acknowledged for their efforts in the fight against world hunger. "Representatives Emerson and McGovern have been instrumental in reducing global child hunger in some of the world's poorest countries," said Friends of WFP President and CEO Karen Sendelback. "Their legislative efforts have drummed up a tremendous amount of support from the American government for international school meals programs." Elected in 1996, Representative Emerson has been a strong supporter of hunger relief programs. In March 2007, she introduced bipartisan legislation that supported the George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program - an initiative that alleviates child hunger and promotes education in developing countries by providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren. Representative Emerson is also Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the bipartisan Congressional Hunger Center. "I am truly humbled to receive this honor from the Friends of the World Food Program. I have a great deal of respect for Josette Sheeran and her team -- they lead an organization which is the focus of so much effort by so many talented people," said U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson. "As we continue to work to alleviate poverty around the world, I appreciate the leading role of nutrition in this fight. We have new challenges to face in the struggle against hunger, and Congress and the United States must continue to be compassionate leaders who champion this issue." Throughout his Congressional career, Representative McGovern has been a longtime advocate of both domestic and international hunger relief initiatives. Like Emerson, he also has staunchly advocated for Congressional support of the McGovern-Dole Program. He traveled to countries in Africa, visiting food assistance operations and their recipients. In addition, Representative McGovern is also Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the bipartisan Congressional Hunger Center. "The Friends of the World Food Program is an incredible organization, and I'm deeply honored for this recognition," said Representative Jim McGovern. "I'm particularly grateful to be recognized along with my friend Jo Ann Emerson, who has been a true champion on behalf of the world's hungry. I believe that hunger is a political condition - we have the resources to end hunger; what we need is the political will to make it happen." Speakers at the event included Randy Russell, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Friends of the World Food Program; Karen Sendelback, President and CEO, Friends of the World Food Program; Grant Erdel, Director, Federal Government Relations, the Monsanto Company; and Senator George McGovern (D-SD), Board of Directors, Friends of the World Food Program. Members of Congress, Administration officials, diplomats, the corporate community, advocacy groups, and others interested in efforts to fight hunger also attended the event. Former honorees include Kenyan marathon runner Paul Tergat, Loan Kako Odette from the Ivory Coast's National School Feeding Directorate, Ambassador George McGovern (D-SD), Senator Robert Dole (R-KS), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Food and Agriculture Organization Ambassador Tony Hall, former WFP Executive Director Catherine Bertini, Marie Claire magazine, Bob Einterz of AMPATH (The Academic Model for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS), and International Paper's Coins 4 Kids(TM) program. Friends of WFP is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to building support for the WFP and other hunger relief efforts. The organization seeks to increase awareness about global hunger issues, mobilize support for hunger relief programs and activities, and generate resources for WFP operations and other activities that alleviate hunger. For more information about the Friends of WFP's annual awards ceremony please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.friendsofwfp.org/AAC2008" http://www.friendsofwfp.org/AAC2008. Friends of the World Food Program (Friends of WFP) is a US-based non-profit organization that unites companies, foundations, and individuals committed to solving world hunger. The World Food Program (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization and the United Nations' frontline agency for addressing urgent hunger needs. In 2008, WFP plans to feed more than 70 million in around 80 countries. For more information, visit http://www.friendsofwfp.org/. CONTACT: Daniela Colaiacovo, 1-202-530-1060, Web Site: http://www.friendsofwfp.org/
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