Rehberg, R-Mont., and five other members of Congress signed a letter sent Wednesday to the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, Norway, nominating Mortenson for the prestigious award.
“Greg Mortenson's work advancing children's education in volatile countries encompasses these values,” Rehberg said. “I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”
Mortenson began his humanitarian work not long after failing in his attempt in 1993 to climb the Himalayan peak K2. During the climb's descent, he lost touch with his mountain guide and stumbled into a remote Pakastani village, whose residents nursed him back to health.
Upon leaving, he promised the townspeople he would return to build a school. That effort succeeded and led to construction projects in many other rural Pakastani and Afghan villages and the establishment of the Central Asia Institute.
Mortenson's group has helped establish and build some 78 schools, Rehberg said.
Mortenson could not be reached for comment Wednesday. He has toured the country showing slides of his work and toured cities in Montana last year.
The other members of Congress signing the nomination letter are Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla., Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., and Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio.
The letter noted that educating girls in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan “remains controversial,” but that “Mr. Mortenson understands the tremendous positive, peaceful impacts that educated girls and women have on societies around the world.”
“He advocates girls' education as the key to economic development and peace, and he continues to fight to make this possible where it otherwise may not be achieved.”
Northern Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are considered prime recruiting grounds for the Taliban and other extremist Muslim movements.
Mortenson already has received high government honors from Pakistan, as well as other awards for his humanitarian work.
He told his story in “Three Cups of Tea,” co-written with journalist David O. Relin.
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