We were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, whose pioneering agricultural research improved the lives of millions of people around the world and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Only Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Elie Wiesel have been similarly honored with all three awards.

A native of Iowa, Dr. Borlaug's plant breeding research and efforts to increase food crop productivity resulted in high yields that helped feed people far beyond our borders, especially growing populations in developing countries in Latin America and Asia.

Dr. Borlaug's passion for harnessing science to provide meaningful benefits in people's daily lives continues to inspire us as we work to meet the global challenges posed by disease, hunger, and poverty. His life-long commitment to the developing world and the broad impact of his work demonstrate the important role that science must play in achieving global progress.

We salute Dr. Borlaug and his achievements, and offer our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family.

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