[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 52 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE OF STATE SENATOR RONALD RICE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2023

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to New Jersey 
State Senator Ronald Rice after his passing on March 15, 2022. State 
Senator Rice was one of the most dedicated distinguished public 
servants in my district and a tireless fighter for civil rights 
throughout my district. State Senator Rice spent most of his life 
serving the people of New Jersey's 28th District and his country. He 
was the longest-serving Black legislator in our state's history.
  State Senator Rice graduated from Malcolm X. Shabazz High School in 
Newark and later joined the Marine Corps. He spent four years in the 
Marine Corps, including two years in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. 
When his service was completed, he retired with the rank of Sergeant 
and earned Presidential and Navy Unit Citations. Then State Senator 
Rice spent eight years as a police detective, four years as Newark's 
Deputy Mayor, and served on the Newark City Council. During this time, 
Rice earned an associate's degree in police science at Essex County 
Community College, a bachelor's degree at the John Jay College of 
Criminal Justice, New York, and his master's degree at the Rutgers 
University Graduate School of Criminal Justice. Rice worked for Public 
Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) as a member of the safety and security 
team until he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate.
  Rice spent more than 35 years as a State Senator. He was known for 
his strong support and advocacy for social justice and civil rights. 
State Senator Rice has sponsored legislation in the areas of criminal 
justice, healthcare, affordable housing, tenant rights, employee rights 
and education. Recently, he had a street and sports complex named in 
his honor in my district to commemorate his legacy. Both honors are 
well deserved. I congratulate State Senator Rice on his tremendous 
career as a public servant and I know his work for Newark and the 
people of New Jersey will be missed.
  I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me 
in celebrating his life of public service and extend deepest 
condolences to his children, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, 
grandchildren and all his family and friends.

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