[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E339-E340]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN DONALD PAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to remember the life and mourn the loss of our beloved colleague, 
the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, Congressman Donald M. 
Payne.
  For twelve terms, Congressman was an effective advocate for the 
interests of constituents, a trusted expert on international affairs 
and Africa policy to his colleagues, and a tireless champion for poor, 
vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized people everywhere on earth. But 
above all, Donald Payne was a good and kind man, who with unfailing 
good cheer enriched the lives of all he met and served.

[[Page E340]]

  Born in Newark, New Jersey, on July 16, 1934, to William Evander 
Payne and the former Norma Garrett, this son of a chauffeur and a 
dockworker went on to graduate from Seton Hall University, teach 
English and social studies and coach high school football, and serve as 
the first black president of the National Council of YMCAs before his 
election to Congress in 1988 to succeed Peter W. Rodino, another 
legendary figure in New Jersey politics and the chairman of the House 
Judiciary Committee during Watergate. Donald Payne holds the 
distinction of being the first and only African American elected to 
represent New Jersey in the Congress of the United States.
  Throughout his congressional career, Donald Payne championed 
educational and economic opportunity and human and civil rights, both 
here and abroad. From his work in furtherance of the Northern Ireland 
peace process, to his efforts to bring attention and an end to the 
genocide in Darfur, as well as his indispensable work to secure full 
funding for PEPFAR to combat the HIV/AIDS and malaria in Africa, Donald 
Payne made a difference and his impact has been felt around the world.
  As a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and the 
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Donald Payne mentored and 
provided wise counsel to many of his colleagues, including me. I valued 
his counsel and his friendship and I will miss him very much and I 
extend my deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.

                          ____________________