Leon Hesser was Director of the U.S. Government’s worldwide program to increase food production in less-developed countries. After he retired from State Department, he spearheaded programs to increase food production in 20 nations of Asia, Africa and the former Soviet Union.

Florence Hesser was professor of education at George Washington University for 20 years and became well acquainted with President and Mrs. Carter while their daughter Amy was in her after-school program for four years. At the request of the Saudi Royal Family, she started a Reading Center in Saudi Arabia.