WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following in response to the announcement that USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah would be departing the agency.

“I would like to thank Dr. Rajiv Shah for his dedicated service to the United States of America. His exemplary tenure started by coordinating the U.S. response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti and ends with a USAID better prepared to meet the challenges of the future. As USAID Administrator, Raj has embodied the highest ideals of public service and has helped to focus attention on the value of development in fostering stable and productive international partnerships for our country, strengthening our national security and fulfilling a moral obligation to assist those in need. I was consistently impressed by his steadfast commitment to human rights and gender equity, economic development and good governance. Through Feed the Future, he fought to ensure that the neediest among us don’t go hungry. His focus on innovation and thoughtful reforms helped maintain America’s world leadership in fighting poverty and injustice – a better future – for all people. Above all else, Administrator Shah understood that smart investments in global development assistance today translate into more opportunities for diplomacy and less need for war in the future.  

“I thank Administrator Shah and his family for their sacrifice and I wish him the best of luck going forward.”

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