I salute the Norwegian Nobel Committee for honoring President Barack Obama as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. There is no single person in our world today so worthy of this tremendous honor.

By stressing diplomacy without compromising our national security, President Obama has created a new climate in international relations. The President's decision to draw down defensive missile systems in eastern Europe has been greeted with elation and gratitude by the international community and has demonstrated to our allies in eastern Europe that America stands with them to ensure a peaceful coexistence.

President Obama has led efforts to strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban treaty, drawing praise from former Noble Prize winner Mohammad El Baradei who proclaimed that the President "has done in nine months what many thought would take a generation."

Seeking to end North Korea's nuclear ambitions, President Obama sent former President Bill Clinton to meet with Kim Jong-il to establish a meaningful dialogue, and he has pledged to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring our brave men and women in uniform home. The President has declared that the United States would close its secret prisons and that the United States would no longer support a policy of torture.

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the President of the United States of America should instill all Americans with a sense of pride. By being named the 90th recipient of the award, Barack Obama has joined the ranks of peace pioneers like Lech Walesa, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Congratulations Mr. President and thank you for your efforts in leading our country and our world towards lasting peace.

Dr. Jack Schofield

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