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Quinn honored for Strengthening Food Security in the United States and Around the World
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| Amb. Kenneth Quinn & his fellow food security "Champions of Change" |
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| Amb. Kenneth Quinn speaking at Champions of Change |
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| Amb. Kenneth Quinn & Mrs. Le Son Quinn |
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Thursday, September 6, the White House will welcome 11 Champions of Change who have committed themselves to Strengthening Food Security in the United States and around the world. These individuals know that hunger is an issue that touches the lives of people all around us. Today, almost 1 billion people do not have access to a sufficient supply of nutritious and safe food, and 16 million children in the United State experience food insecurity each year. Using innovative approaches, these champions are striving to ensure that no man, woman, or child goes hungry and inspiring others to do the same.
“Today’s champions are examples of the groundbreaking work being done to tackle hunger at home and abroad. These individuals are making improved access to healthy food a reality for millions of individuals in need,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. “Establishing global food security isn’t just critical for those now suffering from hunger. It is also vital to our long-term economic prosperity. We applaud the champions for their efforts to empower families and communities and to reduce the depth and severity of hunger around the world.”
The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.
Kenneth M Quinn
Des Moines, IA
On January 1, 2000, Kenneth M Quinn assumed the presidency of the World Food Prize foundation in Des Moines, Iowa following a 32 year career as an American diplomat which focused significantly on refugee and humanitarian relief efforts and culminated with his service as U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia. For the past 12 years, Ambassador Quinn has endeavored to build the World Food Prize, founded by the Father of the Green Revolution, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, so that it could be seen as the “Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture” and inspire efforts to alleviate hunger around the globe.
Each October, more than 1,400 people from 75 countries gather in Des Moines for the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium, which has been called the "premier conference in the world on global agriculture." With strong bipartisan support, Ambassador Quinn’s foundation also operates a unique youth education program for high school students in America, and hosts the annual Iowa Hunger Summit. Under his leadership, the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates was just completed in October, 2011 with the purpose of inspiring future generations to emulate Dr. Borlaug by confronting hunger.
Photos courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture