Spokesman: Obama To Donate Nobel Prize Money
Nobel Committee Shocks World By Awarding Obama's 'Extraordinary' Diplomacy Less Than 1 Year Into 1st Term
President Barack Obama will donate the $1.4 million cash award that comes with the Nobel Peace Prize to charity. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says it's likely that more than one charity will share the windfall.
Gibbs said the president has yet to decide which charities will benefit from the award, announced early Friday morning.
Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.
The committee said Mr. Obama's efforts to promote a "global response to global challenges" cemented their decision.
"I am both surprised and deeply humbled," Obama said in the Rose Garden.
"To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures that have been honored by this prize," said Obama.
Obama said daunting challenges confront the world, citing nuclear proliferation, climate change and the mideast peace process.
"Some of the work confronting us may not be completed during my presidency," Obama said.
"This award must be shared with everyone who strives for justice and dignity," he added.
CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports that White House press secretary Robert Gibbs emailed a one-word reaction to the news Friday morning: "Wow."
The White House was clearly just as shocked by the announcment as the reporters gathered in Oslo, reports Maer
Nobel Committee Shocks World By Awarding Obama's 'Extraordinary' Diplomacy Less Than 1 Year Into 1st Term
President Barack Obama will donate the $1.4 million cash award that comes with the Nobel Peace Prize to charity. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says it's likely that more than one charity will share the windfall.
Gibbs said the president has yet to decide which charities will benefit from the award, announced early Friday morning.
Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.
The committee said Mr. Obama's efforts to promote a "global response to global challenges" cemented their decision.
"I am both surprised and deeply humbled," Obama said in the Rose Garden.
"To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures that have been honored by this prize," said Obama.
Obama said daunting challenges confront the world, citing nuclear proliferation, climate change and the mideast peace process.
"Some of the work confronting us may not be completed during my presidency," Obama said.
"This award must be shared with everyone who strives for justice and dignity," he added.
CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer reports that White House press secretary Robert Gibbs emailed a one-word reaction to the news Friday morning: "Wow."
The White House was clearly just as shocked by the announcment as the reporters gathered in Oslo, reports Maer
