Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says the full Senate has passed a resolution he co-sponsored with Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Norman Borlaug. Harkin says, “It’s been said, and I think with good reason, that Doctor Borlaug has saved more lives than anyone in the history of mankind because what he did with the Green Revolution. As you know he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.”
Borlaug is a Cresco, Iowa native who created new strains of wheat through research that are credited with saving the lives of millions of people. Harkin says he still sees the 92-year-old Borlaug once or twice a year. Harkin says, “He’s one of the most inspirational human beings I’ve ever met.” Harkin says Borlaug is an individual we ought to be holding up to young people to follow.
Harkin says Borlaug is a great example for everyone. He says, “Norman Borlaug didn’t make gazillions of dollars…he did this to save lives. He did it because he wanted to help people have a better life. What a great example for us.” The resolution now goes to the U.S. House and Harkin says he hopes it passes quickly before Congress takes its October recess.