[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22911-22912]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF MAXINE JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2009

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of 
Representatives to join me as I rise with a heavy heart to remember my 
long time Chief of Staff and friend, Maxine James. Maxine passed away 
on September 21, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Prior to her retirement 
last year, Maxine served as my Chief of Staff from the time of my 
inauguration in 1989. She was an integral part of my career and I 
credit much of my success to her capable skills. Maxine was the 
consummate professional who served as my personal advisor and as Staff 
Developer for my office.
  Maxine James was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She was a 
long time resident of Newark until she purchased a home in East Orange 
12 years ago. Maxine was always interested in being of service to the 
public at large. During her 15 years as a Community Affairs Department 
Staffer for Prudential Insurance Company, she served on the boards of 
directors of various community organizations including Second Chance, a 
program developed to help ex-offenders and the problem of recidivism; 
Newark House, a State run half-way house for prisoners and Newark 
Emergency Services for Families where she served the board as 
treasurer, vice president and president. During Maxine's tenure as 
president, NESF opened the first homeless shelter

[[Page 22912]]

for families. It was while I served an executive at Prudential that I 
had the opportunity to meet this talented and promising young woman.
  Maxine was an extraordinarily gifted woman who volunteered her skills 
and resources to assist others. She was only the third woman and first 
African-American woman to join the Newark Jaycees. She used her limited 
knowledge of campaigns and elections to mount a campaign for the 
position of external vice president which she won handily. Maxine 
enjoyed a vast network of friends and associates who will all miss her 
tremendously. Maxine was a dedicated and caring mother to her two sons, 
Brian and Christopher as well as a devoted grandmother to Olivia and 
Malcolm.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that the Greater Newark 
Community has lost a visionary and friend in Maxine James. Her family, 
friends and associates can all be proud of the legacy she leaves 
behind.

                          ____________________