FAO mourns passing of former U.S. Senator George McGovern
George McGovern was the first director of the US Food for Peace programme
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says it has lost a tireless advocate for the world's hunger with the death of former United States Senator George McGovern.
Mr. McGovern, who was 90 years of age, passed away at a hospice near his home in the U.S. state of South Dakota on Sunday.
He served in the US Senate from 1963 to 1981.
Charles Appel reports.
The head of FAO, José Graziano da Silva said that former Senator George McGovern drafted legislation in his own country to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable women, infants and children.
He described the former Senator as "a vigorous champion" of school lunch programmes in the United States and around the world.
The head of FAO said that former Senator McGovern's work had helped to give millions of the world's poorest children nutritional foundation needed to succeed in school and life.
McGovern was appointed the first director of the United States Food for Peace Programme by President John F. Kennedy in 1960.
FAO says the late Senator was instrumental in the founding of the World Food Programme in 1963.
Charles Appel, United Nations
Duration: 47″
