[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF CONGRESSMAN DONALD PAYNE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2012

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity today to 
commemorate the remarkable life of Congressman Donald Payne.
  I am deeply saddened that my friend Don is no longer with us. Don was 
a special man who touched the lives of so many. He truly saw his life's 
work as a way to serve others and make the world a better and more just 
place. His compassion for all will be sorely missed.
  Don was my colleague in the Education and the Workforce Committee, 
and I saw firsthand the passion he brought on behalf of America's 
children. He was a constant advocate for early education, recognizing 
that all children deserve a solid educational foundation regardless of 
income or circumstances. He recognized the power of education to 
further civil rights, and he strongly supported Historically Black 
Colleges and Native Hawaiian education. More than anything, Don saw 
education as a tool to create a more just and civil world.
  Don's compassion extended to those suffering abroad. He worked 
tirelessly to promote democracy around the world, and I was fortunate 
to travel with Don to Haiti as part of the House Democracy Assistance 
Partnership, of which he was a founding member. Our bipartisan team 
greatly appreciated Don's leadership and experience, and his presence 
helped gain the U.S. delegation the respect of our Haitian colleagues.
  But Don's largest overseas focus was on Africa, where he traveled to 
dangerous conflict areas in Somalia and Darfur. Don refused to stand by 
and watch the suffering of innocent African families and children. As 
noted by Steve Heyes, President of the Corporate Council on Africa:

       Africa mourns today for it has lost its greatest advocate 
     in America with the passing of U.S. Congressman Don Payne, 
     and such an advocate with so much experience and passion will 
     not rise again soon. So, too, did the poor and downtrodden 
     lose one of the few such Congressman who still cares about 
     their fate and understood their lives so well.

  Madam Speaker, I know that Donald Payne has left a lasting impact on 
the world. We can all start to live up to his example by living our 
lives with empathy and compassion. While he will be sorely missed, he 
will never be forgotten. I join with my colleagues and with all of his 
friends and colleagues in giving thanks for Congressman Donald Payne's 
life of service.
  My thoughts and prayers are with Don's family and friends. May he 
rest in peace.

                          ____________________