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Texas flags to be lowered for A&M’s Borlaug
Gov. Rick Perry has ordered the lowering of Texas flags to half-staff throughout the state on Tuesday in honor of Norman E. Borlaug, a Nobel laureate at Texas A&M University for whom a public memorial will be held that day.
Borlaug, a professor of international agriculture at A&M, died Sept. 12 in Dallas at the age of 95. The memorial will be at 11 a.m. in Rudder Auditorium on the College Station campus, according to a university news release.
Perry said in a statement that “the world has lost a dedicated researcher and scientist with the passing of Dr. Borlaug, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
“Dr. Borlaug was widely acclaimed as the founder of the Green Revolution in agriculture and a leading expert in the effort to relieve world hunger. As a mark of respect for this widely regarded researcher and professor, it seems fitting that flags in Texas be lowered to half-staff.”
Borlaug won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for developing high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat that dramatically reduced famine in many developing countries.
A&M’s Web site on Borlaug includes additional information and a portal for writing condolences.
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By nick
October 2, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this
When I was an agronomy student at A&M in the early nineties Dr. Borlaug spoke at the final class of the semester for Dr. ****’s soils 301. To listen to him speak was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us students. He had an incredible career and was responsible for saving many lives.
By By and by
October 3, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
So partisan has our governor been toward his alma mater in the past that it’s hard for me to put my cynicism aside whenever he mentions A&M. I’d never heard of the professor mentioned in this article, but doubt that Texas flags would be going to half mast if he’d taught at UT. Am I wrong to think this?
By 93Aggie
October 5, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
@By and by - I am an Aggie however, I am not a Governor Perry supporter. I feel that he has abused his position. However, this is one decision I can whole heartedly support. Dr. Norman Borlaug accomplishments are nothing short of heroic. His research and teaching has fed millions. He received the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for developing high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat used to prevent famine in developing countries throughout the world. He deserves the honor. You can read more by searching his name. I was proud to have had the opportunity to learn from someone so generous and intelligent.
By Kristal L. Rosebrook
October 19, 2009 3:13 AM | Link to this
I agree 93Aggie