Statement of Senator Richard G. Lugar (Ret.) on Senate Confirmation of Gayle Smith as Administrator of USAID
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I was extremely pleased to learn that the U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Gayle Smith as the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. At this time of pressing global challenges including terrorism, conflict states and the largest number of displaced refugees since World War II, U.S. leadership in humanitarian, governance, global hunger, and economic development is critical. With extensive expertise in development both through her work in Africa and as a Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on the National Security Council focusing on these issues, Smith is no doubt eminently qualified to lead USAID, and I expect she will be able to take the leadership reins without hesitation.
Finally, as an Honorary Co-Chair of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), I am extremely pleased with Smith’s past commitment to aid reform and effectiveness as a founder of the organization. Reform principles including transparency and country-led ownership of priorities and resources are critical across the developing world in order to ensure the effectiveness of taxpayer resources and the greatest impact on aid recipients.
