2001-2002

Since its inception in 1993, the directors and staff of CHC recognized the need to address not only hunger in America, but the horrible scourge of hunger impacting over 800 million men, women and children around the world. With funding provided by Congress, CHC launched our new international anti-hunger leadership program in June 2001. Named after former Representative Mickey Leland (D-TX), the program recruited 11 talented leaders who began their field placements in Africa, Central and South America, and Asia in July 2001.

During 2001, the Leland Fellows worked in field placements with organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, CARE, Save the Children, the US Agency for International Development, and the United Nations World Food Program where they participated in community and national programs to end hunger. In 2002, the Leland Fellows spent the second year of the program in the headquarters of their agencies, where they brought their skills, knowledge and experience into a policy environment.

Also in 2002, CHC founder and board co-chair, Rep. Tony Hall, was nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations in Rome. Ambassador Hall appointed Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) to serve as CHC board chair.