"I am pleased that President Obama has announced today his intent to nominate Gayle Smith as USAID Administrator.  I know our entire USAID family will welcome Gayle to lead our Agency at this time of unprecedented need around the globe.

Gayle's leadership on global development, democracy, and humanitarian assistance issues on the President's National Security Council staff, as well as her prior experience as Advisor to the USAID Chief of Staff and Administrator and her two decades of experience working in Africa, equip her well to lead USAID at a time when our Agency's role in international development and humanitarian response are more critical than ever.  We look forward to Gayle's leadership as USAID continues our mission of ending extreme poverty and promoting resilient and democratic societies, and we will work with the Senate to support her confirmation."