Sioux Falls, S.D. ? Former U.S. Sen. and Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole said millions of children are able to eat thanks to the work of former U.S. Sen. George McGovern.

The Republican from Kansas released a statement about McGovern following the former senator’s death in Sioux Falls early Sunday morning.

Dole and McGovern joined together to create an international food for education and child nutrition program, for which they shared the 2008 World Food Prize.

In his statement, Dole said 31 million children participate in the school lunch program. He called McGovern a “humble, compassionate and caring man” who looked out for the people who needed a helping hand.

Dole said McGovern’s efforts at fighting hunger extended far and wide, and the world “is a better place because of his generous spirit.”

McGovern was among the bipartisan cast of political leaders who came to Lawrence in July 2003 to celebrate the opening of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics on the Kansas University West Campus.

In 2004 McGovern became the second winner of the Dole Leadership Prize, and returned to Lawrence to accept the award.