WASHINGTON (April 29, 2019) — CARE, the global humanitarian and development organization, is mourning the passing of Senator Richard Lugar, a statesman who championed American ideals and worked tirelessly for peace and prosperity at home and abroad.
David Ray, CARE Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Countless people at home and abroad are better off today because of Senator Lugar’s lasting legacy as a champion for a safer, healthier, more prosperous world.
As two-time chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lugar was a stalwart supporter of American humanitarian and development assistance. For example, he was a key author of the original Global Food Security Act of 2009, which helped create the Feed the Future initiative – a program which now reaches more than 30 million farmers around the world and has lifted more than 23 million people out of poverty.
CARE also recognizes Senator Lugar’s moral leadership on humanitarian assistance. He always demonstrated grace and respect to refugees and survivors of conflict and violence.
Senator Lugar’s bipartisan approach to solving global challenges should inspire today’s leaders to reach across the aisle and put principle above party.
On climate change, Lugar partnered with then-Senator Joe Biden to push for U.S. engagement in international negotiations. He also bucked his own party in voting to push for economic policies to end Apartheid in South Africa. Lugar worked with former Senator Sam Nunn to address nuclear non-proliferation. And he partnered with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve the way the U.S. provides food aid, ensuring that millions more people could access life-saving support at no extra cost to American taxpayers.
The senator’s critical work on these issues continued after he left office and CARE is a proud partner of The Lugar Center, which is dedicated to solving global problems.
On a personal level, Senator Lugar will be missed for his humility, thoughtfulness, and dignity. At CARE, we send our condolences and best wishes to the family, friends, and colleagues of this great American statesman.”