I am delighted to congratulate USAID on 50 years as an indispensible force for peace, progress, and security. Your efforts help people escape poverty, recover from disaster, and make a better life. You are helping countries rebuild and bring about sustainable change. This work is a reflection of America’s values and our belief in doing the right thing.
This work also benefits America: It keeps our country safe by increasing stability and preventing costly future conflict; it strengthens our economy by developing future markets; and it showcases the best of America’s values.
We are elevating development as an equal pillar of our foreign policy, alongside diplomacy and defense, led by a robust and reinvigorated USAID. This dynamism and integration are especially evident on the frontlines in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, where USAID is working alongside our military to help counter violent extremism by increasing enrollment in schools, building roads, training judges and journalists, strengthening health systems, and spurring new small businesses.
We are simultaneously demanding more to make sure we get the most out of every dollar. That is why I support USAID’s ambitious reform effort, USAID FORWARD, to change the way we do business—by expanding new partnerships with an emphasis on innovation and a relentless focus on results.
I join Administrator Raj Shah in commending the development professionals at USAID for 50 years of progress. As we celebrate all of USAID’s accomplishments, know that you have my full support as we help more people build a better future. Congratulations.
