Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370

Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement on the passing of Senator George McGovern:

"Today our country has lost one of its most committed advocates for the world's most the most vulnerable populations.

"Senator McGovern was brilliant legislator, war hero, public servant and humanitarian. During his four years of service in the House of Representatives and 18 years in the Senate, McGovern represented South Dakota and our country with great honor as he fought to reduce hunger in this country and the world.

"As the co-chair of the Congressional Out-of-Poverty Caucus, I truly appreciate one of Senator McGovern's many legacies, the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (IFEP). This critical program helps support education, child development, and food security for some of the world’s poorest children by providing donations of agricultural commodities and financial and technical assistance for school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects in low-income countries.

"The tangible benefits Senator McGovern's legacy will be felt for decades to come and will inspire many to speak up for the poor, hungry and disenfranchised across the globe."

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