Last week, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House panel on global human rights, received two hunger awards in less than two hours recognizing his outstanding leadership on issues important to hungry and poor people in the U.S. and abroad.

     The first award, the “Leadership on Global Food Security and Nutrition” presented by Bread for the World was followed by the “Bill Emerson and Mikey Leland Hunger Leadership Award,” given by the Congressional Hunger Center.

     “To end hunger worldwide we must have resources, and we must have the will,” said Smith at his first award ceremony. “We continue to face challenges, but there is strong bipartisan support for humanitarian aid. We will rally.”

     Continuing the tradition of bipartisanship exemplified in the creation of both of these organization, Smith was joined by Democratic Congressmen in receiving an award at each event. Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-02) recived the Bread for the World award, and Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) received the award from the Congressional Hunger Center. The bipartisan commitment to ending hunger was further highlighted in the second ceremony as Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) presented the award to Smith.

     Both organizations noted the Global Food Security Act, which Smith sponsored in the House, was instrumental in the fight against hunger. The law coordinates the efforts of 11 different governmental agencies to improve basic nutrition and reduce hunger in the 19 lower income countries.

     “The Global Food Security Act is a blueprint, it is totally bipartisan and it is law,” said Smith. “Now we have to make sure that it is fully and faithfully implemented, and ensure it helps those that need it most.”

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