Cantwell: Dr. Rajiv Shah Will Bring the Tools, Knowledge, and a Unique Global Perspective to the Department of Agriculture
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced Dr. Rajiv Shah, Director of Agricultural Development in the Global Development Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, during his nomination hearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Shah has been nominated by the Obama Administration to be Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics at the United States Department of Agriculture.
Senator Cantwell's opening statement, as prepared for delivery, is below:
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Chambliss "And thank you, members of the committee, for holding this important hearing.
"I am pleased to be here to introduce Dr. Rajiv J. Shah. I urge my colleagues to swiftly confirm him as the next Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
"Raj has an extremely impressive resume that equips him for success at the Department of Agriculture.
"He earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Science in health economics at the Wharton School of Business. He has attended the London School of Economics and the University of Michigan, and has published several articles on health policy and global development.
"Currently, Raj is the Director of Agricultural Development in the Global Development Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"In this position he worked with some of the poorest farmers in the world to help them improve productivity and their standard of living.
"Raj also served as the foundation's Director of Strategic Opportunities and as Deputy Director of Policy and Finance for the Global Health Program.
"In these roles, he helped launch the Global Development Program and the International Finance Facility for Immunization - an effort that raised more than $5 billion for child immunization.
"Raj has the tools, the knowledge, and the unique global perspective necessary to excel as Under Secretary of Research, Education, and Economics at the USDA.
"In this new role, Raj will oversee the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service and several other important research agencies within USDA.
"I'm glad that President Obama has recognized Raj's work at the Gates Foundation, which will allow him to bring a unique and innovative view point, which will benefit the research being done at USDA.
"Raj is well aware of the power of research to transform and better the lives of everyone in the world. Raj has previously worked with Washington State University, a Land Grant University in my home state, on projects related to animal and human health.
"Raj's past commitment to service shows that he will be dedicated to making sure that USDA continues to produce the best agricultural science in the world. I am confident he will do all that he can to ensure the United States continues to be a leader in agricultural research, especially research into advanced biofuels and bioenergy. Given his work at the Gates Foundation and his position as a board member of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, I am confident that Raj will bring a new prospective to the USDA. He is the foundation builder we need.
"I believe he will successfully provide the science that's required to meet challenges confronting America's food and agriculture system today and in the future.
"I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination.
"Thank you."
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