The USGLC congratulates David Beckmann from Bread for the World as one of this year’s World Food Prize laureates.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the announcement today in Washington. The Prize, noted as “the foremost international award recognizing…the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world,” sheds light on the extraordinary need for and impact of agricultural development, increased food production, and direct food aid worldwide. Jo Luck from Heifer International was also named as a laureate.  Beckmann and Luck have built Bread for the World and Heifer International, respectively, into two of the globe’s most influential grassroots organizations for combating hunger.

Beckmann, a Lutheran pastor from Nebraska, has rallied over 72,000 people behind efforts to strengthen the United States’ commitment to end hunger at home and abroad. He was a leading force in raising federal investment in poverty-focused development assistance, improving agricultural and rural infrastructure in Africa. In 2004, he brought together a diverse collection of organizations under the U.S. Alliance to End Hunger, improving coordination and cooperation between groups who share his vision of providing food to those in need.

Since 1992, Luck has led over half a million people in helping the world’s poor to eat enough nutritious food. Her outreach has helped over 12 million individuals not only to acquire enough food, but to learn to raise it themselves. Under her direction, Heifer International has grown in membership and influence and has educated countless Americans on the impact that our decisions here has of the hungry elsewhere.

They serve as prime examples of the immense impact that Americans can have on millions of lives. Their selection as World Food Prize laureates is well deserved and their experience stands as a beacon of inspiration for the leaders of tomorrow.

The World Food Prize is an Iowa-based foundation created by Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug in 1986 with the mission of honoring outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food throughout the world. Previous laureates have hailed from around the world and include Senators, doctors, scholars, and researchers. The Foundation also operates the Global Youth Institute, an annual educational program for youth.