Norman Borlaug

A great American passed away Saturday evening (9.12.09). Born in Iowa, he could easily be the most influential Iowan to have ever lived; and an argument could be made that he was one of the most influential Americans of the last century. Yet, his name is not widely known outside of his field of speciality (agriculture).

Borlaug was known as the "Father of the Green Revolution" and his tireless research developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and other grain resulted in significant increases in food production in third world countries that very likely would not have been able to feed its population without these advances. Some have claimed that Borlaug saved more lives than any other person in history.

Besides the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, Borlaug was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. Only four other people have ever received all three of these awards (Rev. Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Elie Wiesel and Nelson Mandela).

In a world where the labels "hero" and "role model" and "great" are used too frequently; Norman Borlaug stands out as a person to be admired and emulated.