[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 82 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1190-E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      GIVE THEM AN ADULT WHO CARES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 22, 1998

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, as youngsters we're taught about pride and 
humility and how we must use them if we are to serve well and succeed 
in life. Today, proud and humble, I would like to join others as they 
honor and recognize my brother, William, for his work as a New Jersey 
State Assemblyman representing the 29th Legislative District. Tomorrow 
at an event at the prestigious law firm of Gibbons, DelDeo, Dolan, 
Griffinger & Vecchione in Newark, New Jersey, family, friends, 
colleagues and supporters will gather to thank and further encourage 
Assemblyman Payne on the leadership he has continuously exhibited to 
benefit the lives of those less fortunate among us.
  Assemblyman Payne is serving his first term where he is a member of 
the powerful Appropriations Committee. My brother, Bill, is no stranger 
to the political process. He was the first African American elected as 
District Leader in Newark's North Ward in 1955. He unsuccessfully 
sought municipal elected office in 1962 when he lost by 399 votes a 
run-off election for Councilman-at-Large. He ran a spirited race for 
South Ward Councilman in 1966 which was also unsuccessful. Over the 
years he has assisted numerous citizens in their

[[Page E1191]]

quest for elected office. He was among the first to encourage Kenneth 
A. Gibson, Newark's first African American Mayor, to actively seek 
political office. And, of course, I am another of his proteges. Since 
taking the oath of office this year in January, Assemblyman Payne has 
energized the New Jersey Legislative Black and Latino Caucus.
  I would like to bring my colleagues attention to two pieces of 
legislation Assemblyman Payne has introduced--a bill establishing a 21-
member Amistad Commission to develop education and public awareness 
programs about the history of slavery in America and the post-slavery 
triumphs of African Americans.
  He has also introduced a bill that would require all the New Jersey's 
school districts to have a program that links troubled children with 
volunteers who promise to spend at least one hour a week with them for 
at least one year. Prior to his election, Assemblyman Payne has 
actively recruited hundreds of mentors to work with some of our 
troubled youth. These mentors occupations ranged from doctors and 
lawyers to retirees and laborers--people who knew the importance of 
being a caring adult in the lives of sometimes confused and troubled 
youngsters. Assemblyman Payne was himself a mentor to a young man who 
was destined to get into trouble. Today, Rahjan Williams, the mentee, 
is looking forward to attending college to become an accountant.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues will join me as I extend 
congratulations and best wishes to my only brother of whom I am 
extremely proud. And I wish to thank those who are honoring him, 
especially his son-in-law Wilfredo Benitez, an up and coming young 
attorney with the host law firm

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