George McGovern
(1922-2012)

American Politician and Social Activist
2000 Presidential Medal of Freedom
Gandhi Peace Award Winner
World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador

birthdate: July 19
birthplace:
Avon, South Dakota

George Stanley McGovern is a former United States Representative, Senator, 1972 Democratic Presidential nominee, and a leader in the struggle to end world hunger for five decades. After flying combat missions in World War II and then teaching as a history and political science professor, George McGovern entered politics and was elected to the US Congress in 1956. In 1960, John F. Kennedy appointed him as the first director of the Food for Peace Programme, and George McGovern played a major role in the creation of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in 1963. He was elected to the US Senate in 1962 and served until 1981. George McGovern was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in 1972 but lost to Richard Nixon. While in the Senate, he led the way to expand important nutrition programs, serving as a member of the Senate committees on agriculture, forestry, foreign relations and nutrition. He was a strong opponent to the United States involvement in the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Senate, George McGovern continued working to end world hunger, serving as ambassador to the UN Agencies on Food and Agriculture in Rome from 1998-2001; was chosen as the WFP's first Goodwill Ambassador in 2001; and jointly with former Senator Bob Dole, created an international school lunch program for children in developing countries. In 2000, George McGovern was awarded America's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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