Texas A&M Agriculture's Dr. Norman Borlaug will be presented the Congressional Gold Medal July 17 for unparalleled efforts at "bringing radical change to world agriculture and uplifting humanity," according to the U.S. Congress. Borlaug, 93, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 - the first person ever to receive the prize for agricultural efforts - for his international research which led to wheat varieties that helped feed millions of starving people. He is distinguished professor of soil and crop sciences at Texas A&M University where he has been actively teaching, lecturing and consulting since 1984.In measures passed by the Senate last September and the House in December, Borlaug was credited with "saving billions of people around the world ... (he) saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived." Borlaug is often called the "Father of the Green Revolution" in reference to the impact of his developments in wheat breeding. Borlaug developed a dwarf variety of wheat adapted for success in Mexico - and it boosted Mexican wheat production sixfold.
He took improved, easier-to-harvest varieties to India and Pakistan in the 1960s, boosting those countries' food supply. Today, India is the second largest producer of wheat.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by the legislative branch of government.
Source: Texas A&M release
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