Georgia Rep. David Scott, first Black chairman of house agriculture committee, dies at 80

U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat who was the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died at age 80.

The news of his demise was confirmed by his office on Wednesday, April 22. However, the exact cause of death is not revealed.

Scott, who was running for his 13th congressional term, passed away after nearly five decades in office. The congressman's passing was publicly revealed on the House floor by Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, as well as by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Scott became a member of Congress in 2002 after having served 20 years in the Georgia Senate, along with eight years in the state House. Scott was best known as the advocate of farmers, food stamp and rural communities. As the chairman of the Agriculture Committee, he oversaw a budget in billions in farm subsidies, food stamps and school lunches.

He was born in South Carolina and belonged to the lower class. His parents worked as domestic servants. Scott completed his degree from the Wharton School of Finance.

His brother-in-law was baseball legend Hank Aron, and his grandson is NFL running back Kimani Vidal.