Congressman David Scott (D-GA), long-time member and former Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, passed away Wednesday at the age of 80.

Committee leadership praised the Georgia lawmaker for his advocacy for agriculture in Congress. Chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) said, “His legacy will live on in the policy he shaped over the years, including the 1890s Scholarship Program…and I know he will be missed in the halls of Congress.”

“He was a strong voice for Georgia’s farmers, hungry veterans and young people — who he helped shape into the next generation of agricultural leaders through his fierce advocacy for the 1890 Scholarship Program at historically Black colleges and universities.,” said Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN).

Ag organization leaders also commented on Scott’s devotion to farmers. “Throughout his five decades of public service at the state level and then in Congress, Representative Scott kept the well-being of others at the center of his efforts. I had the pleasure of getting to know David during his time in the Georgia Assembly, and our relationship grew during his tenures as the ranking member and chair of the House Agriculture Committee,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, a farmer from Georgia. “He was committed to improving conditions for America’s farmers and was willing to reach across the aisle to get the job done.”

Scott’s death comes after three members of Congress have resigned in the past week over misconduct allegations, bringing the current number of vacancies in the House to five, including Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) who died in January and was also a member of the House Agriculture Committee.