Rosalynn and I are pleased to congratulate Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. I have known her for many years as a heroine in Kenya and throughout Africa. She has fought courageously to protect the environment and human rights, in the face of severe governmental pressures to silence her often lonely voice. As an outstanding woman leader, she is a role model for other women throughout Africa struggling to improve the well-being of their families and communities.

On a personal note, her daughter Wanjira, who works with her mother now in the Green Belt Movement, worked at The Carter Center for many years on our projects to prevent river blindness and schistosomiasis in Africa, and we could not be more delighted that her mother's important efforts have been recognized with this award.