Washington, D.C.- President Barack Obama on Friday became the third sitting U.S. President to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama said he is “both surprised and deeply humbled” by the recognition during a statement from the White House shortly after the award’s announcement Friday morning. He called it “an affirmation of American leadership” that “must be shared” with everyone who strives for “justice and dignity.” A cross section of people such as governments of states, professors, former Peace Prize laureates and former members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee overwhelmingly voted for Obama out of a field of 172 nominees – the highest number ever. They rejected criticism that Obama had been recognized prematurely, even though nominations had to be postmarked by February 1- only 12 days after Obama took office. Former President Jimmy Carter said awarding the Peace Prize to Obama was a “bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment.” Another Nobel Laureate, former Vice President Al Gore, cited Obama’s recent United Nations speech on nuclear nonproliferation and his dealing with Iran over their nuclear program as reasons he deserves the award. Gore called Obama’s honor “extremely well deserved.” The Nobel Committee lauded the change in global mood brought by Obama’s calls for cooperation. “Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future,” said Thorbjoern Jagland, chairman of the Nobel Committee. Obama said he views it as a “call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st Century.” He said he looks forward to going to Oslo and receiving the prize. Obama becomes the third sitting President to receive the award, along with Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Former President Jimmy Carter received the honor in 2002. Story by Alex Lane. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.