World Food Prize Foundation mourns the loss of Council of Advisors member Corazon Aquino

Former Philippine President helped bring prestige and attention to Prize

Her Excellency Corazon Aquino

August 3, 2009 - - Her Excellency Corazon Aquino, former president of the Philippines and a member of the World Food Prize Council of Advisors, died Saturday at the age of 76.

While in office, President Aquino offered a statement of congratulations to the first World Food Prize recipient, M.S. Swaminathan of India, that helped bring prestige and attention to the prize as it was struggling for international recognition.

"[Dr. Swaminathan] fully deserves the distinction of being the first recipient of the World Food Prize, which is awarded to those who have made significant improvements in the world's food situation," President Aquino said in 1987.

Following her passing, World Food Prize Foundation President Kenneth Quinn released the following statement:

"It was my great personal privilege to know President Aquino during the time I was Deputy US ambassador to the Philippines from 1987 to 1990. At that time, she displayed incredible personal courage in standing up to military rebels and helping preserve democracy in her country.

Throughout her private and public life, Mrs. Aquino was an ardent advocate for those most unfortunate in society. It was for this very reason that I was so very pleased when she responded positively to my letter inviting her to become a member of our Council of Advisors several years ago. Having her name as part of our governing structure brought even more international stature to our prize and our laureates."

MSNBC has more on the life and impact of Corazon Aquino here.