Congressman Nominates Mercy Corps for Nobel Prize

February 1, 2007

Photo: courtesy of www.un.org

Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) nominated Mercy Corps for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

Blumenauer, who represents Oregon's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been a longtime and steadfast supporter of Mercy Corps' international humanitarian work. In August 2006, he traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, with Mercy Corps President Nancy Lindborg to visit the agency's Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery programs. He toured the city's historic Lower Ninth Ward, ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, and took time to meet with families, local staff and partner organizations.

"I am privileged to nominate Mercy Corps, which consistently shows creativity and entrepreneurship in addressing the toughest problems of the developing world," said Congressman Blumenauer. "I have seen Mercy Corps in action under incredibly difficult circumstances - in the wake of the 2005 tsunami and in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Mercy Corps is a tremendous source of pride for Oregon and a global leader that is more than deserving of this prestigious nomination."

In addition to supporting Mercy Corps' disaster responses, Blumenauer also recently worked with the agency to announce the "New Direction for Iraq Act," which addresses that country's growing humanitarian and refugee crisis.

"It is a great honor for Mercy Corps to be recognized in this way by Congressman Blumenauer," said Mercy Corps CEO Neal Keny-Guyer. "Like Mercy Corps, Congressman Blumenauer is committed to helping people help themselves and we see him as one of Congress's most dedicated advocates for the world's poor and oppressed."

Hundreds of individuals and organizations are nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, highly regarded as the world's premier award for humanitarian work and impact. It is an honor to just be nominated and included in such a group. Mercy Corps thanks Congressman Blumenauer for his recognition and continued partnership.