Ambassador Tony Hall
Ambassador Tony Hall is a globally recognized humanitarian and advocate for hunger relief programs and international human rights.
With three Nobel Peace Prize nominations, Ambassador Hall's lifelong commitment to ending hunger and improving human rights conditions has left a permanent mark on the world.
Early Political Career
Ambassador Hall began his career in public service, serving in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1969 to 1972 and the Ohio Senate from 1973 to 1978. He represented Ohio’s Third District from 1979 to 2002, demonstrating a dedication to his constituents that would later extend to the global fight against hunger.
Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture
In September 2002, Ambassador Hall was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in implementing America’s commitment to alleviate hunger and provide hope worldwide.
A Tireless Advocate for Hunger Relief
Ambassador Hall’s commitment to reducing domestic and international hunger is reflected in his legislative efforts. He initiated laws to address hunger-related diseases in developing nations and sponsored a successful 1990 emergency measure to support Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. He also introduced legislation to establish a clearinghouse for gleaning, a practice that provides food to those in need. Ambassador Hall has been a champion of micro-enterprise to reduce joblessness, recognizing the importance of economic empowerment while confronting hunger. His micro-enterprise efforts focused on providing women with the tools needed to become self-sufficient.
Leadership in Hunger Relief Organizations
Ambassador Hall played a critical role in founding the Select Committee on Hunger, serving as its chairman from 1989 until its abolition in 1993. In response to the dissolution of the Hunger Committee, he undertook a 22-day fast in April 1993 to draw attention to the needs of hungry people in the United States and around the world. Additionally, Ambassador Tony Hall founded and chaired the Congressional Hunger Center, a non-governmental organization focused on developing leaders and navigating hunger.
A Global Perspective
Ambassador Hall has traveled extensively to visit poverty-stricken and war-torn regions worldwide. His journeys have taken him to more than 120 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Notably, he visited North Korea seven times since 1995 and was one of the first Western officials to witness the famine outside of Pyongyang.
Recognitions and Achievements
Ambassador Hall’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. He received Nobel Peace Prize nominations for three consecutive years in 1998, 1999, and 2001, acknowledging his humanitarian and hunger-related work. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations awarded him the 1992 Silver World Food Day Medal for his hunger legislation and his proposal for a Humanitarian Summit in the Horn of Africa. In recognition of his commitment to humanitarian causes, Ambassador Hall has received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Asbury College, Antioch College, and Eastern College, as well as a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Loyola College. He received the Dayton Peace Award in 2021.
The Hall Hunger Initiative
In 2015, Ambassador Tony Hall established the Hall Hunger Initiative as a testament to his lifelong dedication to ending hunger. Since its inception, the Hall Hunger Initiative has garnered support from compassionate individuals and companies committed to this vital work.
