General Dwight Eisenhower spent his first Thanksgiving after World War II with Congress. Eisenhower testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs about hunger in Europe that holiday morning in 1945.



Ike, who was feeling ill, said "There are few places in Europe today where people are not cold, hungry and apprehensive of the future."



Eisenhower urged Congress to increase funding for United Nations hunger relief. The mission of World War II was not complete until we defeated the enemy of hunger. Ike said, "We must, now, make our proportionate contribution to the relief of Europe in order to insure the permanence of our military victory." The Congress did grant the funding and it was the right decision.





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Feeding the hungry was an essential part of winning the peace after WorldEisenhower on Thanksgiving, every citizen can speak out and encourage Congress to take the action needed to fight hunger.William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program and Catholic Relief Services on the book Ending World Hunger. His writings have been published by USA Today, History News Network, The Hill, Newsweek and many other outlets.