Breaking News:We deeply regret that health issues have forced George McGovern to cancel his appearance at the Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, but we rejoice that on very short notice, Dr. Bob Edgar, President and CEO of Common Cause, has agreed to fill that slot. Dr. Edgar is immanently qualified to speak to us on issues of economic issues, peace and politics. He is a former President of the National Council of Churches and was elected from Pennsylvania to six terms in the US House of Representatives.
George McGovern is a long time proponent of Peace and Justice for all people. He is an advocate for all who suffer the ravages of poverty and hunger. In 2000, he received the U.S. Medal of Honor. In 2008, he was the co-recipient of the World Food Prize, along with Bob Dole, and in 2009, he received the National Peacemaker Award.
McGovern was the Director of the Food for Peace Program in the 1960's and later served as President of the Middle East Policy Committee. He continues to be active in anti-poverty programs and in programs to relieve hunger in the world.
McGovern's passion for peace, his longtime involvement in hunger and poverty issues, his serious involvement in the Church and in faith issues, and his integrity qualify him to address the 2011 Peace Conference, "Abundance, Poverty, and Peace."Senator McGovern served many years as a Representative and later a Senator from South Dakota, where he grew up. He is also a former Presidential Candidate. A graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University, he studied for a time at Garrett Theological School, where he served briefly as a student pastor. He received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He was a pilot in World War II, and was a First Lieutenant.