Authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H. Con. Res. 164, which authorizes use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug.

Through a lifetime of research and development aimed at curing world hunger, Dr. Borlaug has exemplified how science and humanitarianism can intersect to address the needs of developing countries that have been ravaged by the effects of hunger and poverty. By introducing high- yield, disease-resistant varieties of wheat to India, Mexico and Pakistan, Dr. Borlaug developed sustainable, renewable food sources that are frequently estimated to have saved over a billion lives.

The results of Dr. Borlaug's research were remarkable, yet not surprising given the commitment of this man of science to find practical, applicable solutions to the world's problems, not, as he put it, chase academic butterflies. Dr. Borlaug's efforts to apply science to stimulate agricultural yield have been frequently credited as being a major milestone of the Green Revolution, and he himself has often been cited as the father of that movement.

In 1970, Dr. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in India and Pakistan, and for his role in the Green Revolution. When he was advised in October of that year that he had won the enormous honor, Dr. Borlaug was where he spent many of his hours--in the farm fields of Mexico. When his wife drove an hour to reach him in the fields and advise him that the media was waiting for his reaction, Dr. Borlaug declined to return to the house, saying that he and his assistants still had much more work to do, as he continued to record data on his test plots. It was there that the TV camera crews found him 2 hours later.

In addition to the Nobel Prize, Dr. Borlaug has been recognized with the 1977 U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the 2002 Public

Welfare Medal from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the 2002 Rotary International Award for World Understanding and Peace, and the 2004 National Medal of Science. He has also received numerous honorary degrees from around the world.

Though he has received many accolades, Dr. Borlaug has been quick to point out that his work alone will not be enough to cure world hunger. In 1986, Dr. Borlaug created the World Food Prize, an international award recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by continuing to improve the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world.

Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to support H. Con. Res. 164 to authorize use of the Capitol rotunda to honor Dr. Norman E. Borlaug as he receives the Congressional Gold Medal. It is fitting that such an honor be bestowed upon a man who has done so much, for so many.

The concurrent resolution was agreed to.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and Colleague Mr. Tom Latham for his leadership on H. Con. Res. 164, which authorizes the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Norman Borlaug.

I am honored to know Dr. Borlaug. He is a great humanitarian who is credited with saving over a billion lives. No small task but for Dr. Borlaug it was all in a days work.

In 1944, Dr. Borlaug participated in Rockefeller Foundation's pioneering technical assistance program in Mexico. He was a research scientist and worked on high-yield and disease resistance cereal grains.

His work changed production agriculture, as we know it today. Dr. Borlaug is also credited with beginning the `Green Revolution' in Mexico, Asia, and Latin America.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his groundbreaking work in world agriculture

and his work to end world hunger. Through this he envisioned a prize that would honor others who had made contributions to helping feed the world.

Dr. Borlaug's life is marked with accomplishments; one such accomplishment was founding the World Food Prize, which is now located in Des Moines, Iowa. The World Food Prize recognizes contributions by individuals who have worked to improve the quality, quantity and availability of the world food supply.

Dr. Borlaug is an amazing man and because of him billions of lives have been saved. The implications of his life's work will be felt for years to come. I again thank Mr. Latham for helping to ensure this true American hero is properly honored.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 164) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 164, just received from the House and at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, without intervening action or debate.