Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Honors Native Son; Dedicates Building in Memory of George Washington Carver
JEFFERSON CITY–In recognition of his many achievements, Gov. Matt Blunt today officially dedicated the home of Missouri’s Department of Agriculture as the George Washington Carver State Office Building.
Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks joined Blunt at today’s ceremony honoring the memory of Dr. Carver. Dr. Hooks is a civil rights pioneer and served as executive director of the NAACP from 1977 to 1992. He became the first African-American to serve on the Federal Communications Commission when he was appointed by President Nixon.
“Today we honor a native Missourian with a fitting tribute to a great scientist who helped to revolutionize the field of agriculture,” Blunt said. “Like Dr. Carver, Dr. Hooks has worked to better our lives and future by helping restore America to its promises of democratic freedoms for all. I am honored he has joined us today for this important occ`asion.”
On February 7, 2006, Blunt signed Executive Order 06-08 renaming the Missouri State Office Building the George Washington Carver State Office Building.
Dr. Carver is credited with stressing the need for soil conservation through diversification of crops and crop rotation to help revive soil that had become unproductive due to the long-term cultivation of cotton. Carver went on to discover almost 300 uses for the peanut, and developed various paint, dyes and medicinal treatments from peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans.
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