Search
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about the importance of food security and the world's water supply at the 2012 World Food Prize Announcement. She was also presented with a replica of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug's Congressional Gold Medal.
Highlights from the 2012 World Food Prize Laureate Announcement Ceremony
 |
| Secretary Clinton receives a replica of Dr. Borlaug's Congressional Gold Medal from Amb. Quinn |
June 12, 2012 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave the keynote address at the 2012 World Food Prize Laureate Announcement on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, commending Dr. Daniel Hillel for his innovations in water and irrigation in arid regions of the world.
"Water has been a very big topic of concern here in the State Department," Clinton said. "We have tried to focus our government’s attention and the world’s attention on the importance of getting ahead of what will be a devastating water crisis if we are not smarter and more purposeful in addressing the problems now.
"It’s especially fitting that we honor today someone who has made such contributions because he understood the critical role that water plays in agriculture and the importance of getting every last drop used efficiently."
Secretary Clinton has hosted the World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony for the past four years. As a symbol of thanks and to recognize Secretary Clinton for her impressive work in bringing global food security to the forefront during her past four years in office, Amb. Kenneth M. Quinn, president of the World Food Prize, presented her with a replica of Dr. Norman Borlaug's Congressional Gold Medal. Borlaug, known as the "Father of the Green Revolution," founded the World Food Prize in 1986.
"Madam Secretary, you have put global food security front and center on the foreign policy agenda – a remarkable transformational accomplishment for which you deserve enormous credit," Quinn said.
"I am so pleased to be able to present to you this special commemorative version of Dr. Borlaug’s Congressional Gold Medal, America’s highest civilian honor, which he received in 2007 and which bears his likeness," Quinn continued. "I hope that it will forever be a reminder of the enormous respect and gratitude that Dr. Borlaug had for the leadership which you have provided, and continue to provide, on the issue of confronting global hunger and alleviating human suffering."
To read Amb. Quinn's full remarks, please click here.
To view photos of this event, please click onthis link.
For the full press release about the event, please click on this link.
For a biography of Dr. Hillel, please click here.