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Founded in 1993 by Tony Hall, Ambassador and Former Member of Congress, the bi-partisan, 501(c)3, Congressional Hunger Center is currently is co-chaired by Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) and Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA).

Representative Mickey Leland (D-TX) and Representative Bill Emerson (R-MO)

In 1983, Representatives Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), Mickey Leland (D-TX) and Tony Hall (D-OH) formed the House Select Committee on Hunger to find real solutions to national and international hunger and poverty. Representative Mickey Leland chaired the committee until his death on a famine relief mission to the Horn of Africa in 1989.  In 1993, the House of Representatives allowed a number of Select Committees to expire, including the House Select Committee on Hunger. Tony Hall, the Select Committee Chair at that time, responded by embarking on a 22 day fast, an act that helped bring Republicans and Democrats together to form the Congressional Hunger Center. Representative Bill Emerson (R-MO) joined Tony Hall as the first co-chair of the bi-partisan Congressional Hunger Center.

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