WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), issued the following statement on the passing of U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne.

"There have been few greater friends of USAID than Rep. Donald M. Payne. Mr. Payne beat the drum of dignity and civil rights for women and girls from Rwanda and Afghanistan to Colombia and Morocco. He was a giant in the world of African affairs whose sage counsel I relied upon time and again - whether on the challenges of promoting economic development and justice in post-apartheid South Africa or helping to sustain peace between Sudan and South Sudan. He was there the day South Sudan became an independent republic, and was personally involved in the development of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the creation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program and the strengthening of the African Union. His imprint on our Agency is large. Mr. Payne visited nearly every USAID Mission in Africa and directly touched the lives of our staff in the field and here in Washington, DC. From protecting human rights, to promoting food security or combating HIV/AIDS, Rep. Payne held our Agency accountable for delivering real results. His absence will leave a deep void, but his legacy as a champion for those in need will live on."