[House Hearing, 112 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

Donald M. Payne

LATE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM

NEW JERSEY

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

MEMORIAL ADDRESSES
AND OTHER TRIBUTES

HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

1934-2012

Donald M. Payne

Memorial Addresses and

Other Tributes

HELD IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AND SENATE

OF THE UNITED STATES

TOGETHER WITH MEMORIAL SERVICES

IN HONOR OF

DONALD M. PAYNE

Late a Representative from New Jersey

One Hundred Twelfth Congress

Second Session

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 2012

Compiled under the direction

of the

Joint Committee on Printing

CONTENTS
Biography.............................................
v
Legislative Accomplishments and Activities............
vii
Proceedings in the House of Representatives:
Tributes by Representatives:
Andrews, Robert E., of New Jersey..............
26
Berman, Howard L., of California...............
71
Bishop, Sanford D., Jr., of Georgia............
58, 62
Blumenauer, Earl, of Oregon....................
55
Brown, Corrine, of Florida.....................
51
Burton, Dan, of Indiana........................
25
Capps, Lois, of California.....................
70
Carson, Andre, of Indiana......................
54
Christensen, Donna M., of Virgin Islands
............................
8, 52, 71
Clarke, Hansen, of Michigan....................
20
Clarke, Yvette D., of New York.................
48
Clay, Wm. Lacy, of Missouri....................
44
Cleaver, Emanuel, of Missouri..................
28
Clyburn, James E., of South Carolina...........
47
Cohen, Steve, of Tennessee.....................
3, 46
Conyers, John, Jr., of Michigan................
34
Costello, Jerry F., of Illinois................
64
Davis, Danny K., of Illinois...................
48
Dreier, David, of California...................
59
Ellison, Keith, of Minnesota...................
9
Faleomavaega, Eni F.H., of American Samoa......
22
Frelinghuysen, Rodney P., of New Jersey........
13
Fudge, Marcia L., of Ohio......................
60
Green Al, of Texas.............................
18
Hinojosa, Ruben, of Texas......................
60
Hirono, Mazie K., of Hawaii....................
67
Holt, Rush D., of New Jersey...................
12
Hoyer, Steny H., of Maryland...................
32
Jackson Lee, Sheila, of Texas..................
6, 35
Johnson, Eddie Bernice, of Texas...............
10
Jones, Walter B., of North Carolina............
68
Kucinich, Dennis J., of Ohio...................
73
Lance, Leonard, of New Jersey..................
15
Larson, John B., of Connecticut................
66
Lee, Barbara, of California....................
4, 43
Lewis, John, of Georgia........................
27
LoBiondo, Frank A., of New Jersey..............
60
Matsui, Doris O., of California................
63
McCollum, Betty, of Minnesota..................
58
McGovern, James P., of Massachusetts...........
68
Meeks, Gregory W., of New York.................
57
Norton, Eleanor Holmes, of District of Columbia
11
Pallone, Frank, Jr., of New Jersey
..........................................
5, 7, 39
Pascrell, Bill, Jr., of New Jersey.............
24
Pelosi, Nancy, of California...................
30
Pitts, Joseph R., of Pennsylvania..............
4
Price, David E., of North Carolina.............
49
Rangel, Charles B., of New York................
61
Richardson, Laura, of California...............
65
Richmond, Cedric L., of Louisiana..............
45
Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana, of Florida...............
21
Rothman, Steven R., of New Jersey..............
41
Runyan, Jon, of New Jersey.....................
66
Rush, Bobby L., of Illinois....................
42
Schakowsky, Janice D., of Illinois.............
23
Scott, David, of Georgia.......................
56
Sessions, Pete, of Texas.......................
39
Smith, Christopher H., of New Jersey
....................................
6, 7, 19
Waters, Maxine, of California..................
16
Wolf, Frank R., of Virginia....................
9
Woolsey, Lynn C., of California
..............................................
3, 14, 69
Proceedings in the Senate:
Tributes by Senators:
Lautenberg, Frank R., of New Jersey............
75
Menendez, Robert, of New Jersey................
76
Reid, Harry, of Nevada.........................
79
Memorial Services:
Metropolitan Baptist Church....................
83
Statuary Hall..................................
117
Letter from Ambassador of Ireland.....................
133

BIOGRAPHY

Donald M. Payne, a native of Newark, NJ, became New
Jersey's first African American to be elected to the U.S.
Congress in 1988. In 2010, he was elected to serve his
12th term to represent the 10th District in the 112th
Congress.
Representative Payne served as chairman of the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, whose mission is to
advance the global Black community by developing leaders
through internship and fellowship programs, informing
policy, and educating the public. He also served as a past
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. He was a
member of the Democratic Whip Organization and served as a
member of the House Democratic Leadership Advisory Group.
Representative Payne was a senior member of the House
Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he served
on two subcommittees--the Subcommittee on Early Childhood,
Elementary and Secondary Education and the Subcommittee on
Workforce Protections. Throughout his tenure in Congress,
he was a leading advocate of education and was
instrumental in making K-12 public schools more successful
and college more affordable. He was a key player in the
passage of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act,
which cuts interest rates on Stafford loans in half,
increases Pell grants, and provides loan forgiveness to
public service employees with student loan debt. He also
introduced legislation designed to close the achievement
gap, including the Expanded Learning Time Act, the
Prescribe a Book Act, and the Youth Financial Education
Act.
A true champion of workforce protections for America's
working families, Representative Payne was vocal in the
passage of minimum wage increase legislation, the Lilly
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, worker health and safety
legislation, and the historic America's Affordable Health
Choices Act of 2009. Through his public policy efforts,
billions of dollars for economic development and other key
programs have been allocated to Essex, Hudson, and Union
Counties in his district.
Representative Payne was a senior member of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he served as ranking
member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and
Human Rights and as a member of the Subcommittee on the
Western Hemisphere.
Representative Payne was at the forefront of efforts to
restore democracy and human rights in nations throughout
the globe. He joined with his colleagues to introduce a
measure which was subsequently approved by Congress to
strengthen the Microenterprise Act, providing small
business loans to people in developing nations.
Representative Payne was recognized as having the most
supportive record in Congress on issues involving the
Northern Ireland peace process. He was successful in
passing a resolution condemning genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
He authored the Sudan Peace Act to facilitate famine
relief efforts and a comprehensive solution to the war in
Sudan, which was approved by Congress.
On the global health front, he cofounded the Malaria
Caucus, which was launched at an event with former First
Lady Laura Bush. He successfully secured $50 million for
prevention, control, and treatment of drug-resistant
tuberculosis. Representative Payne also helped secure
passage of a bill authorizing $50 billion for HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, and malaria under the historic PEPFAR
Program, which assists individuals primarily in Sub-
Saharan Africa.
Before being elected to serve as New Jersey's first
African American Congressman, Representative Payne's
career included service on the Newark Municipal Council;
Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders; Essex County
Democratic chairman; executive of the Prudential Insurance
Company; Vice President of Urban Data Systems, Inc., and
an educator in the Newark and Passaic Public School
Districts. A former national president of the YMCA, he
also served as chairman of the World Refugee and
Rehabilitation Committee. Representative Payne has served
on the board of directors of the National Endowment for
Democracy, TransAfrica, Discovery Channel Global Education
Fund, Congressional Award Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs
of Newark, Newark Day Center, and the Newark YMCA. He
received numerous awards and honors from national,
international, and community-based organizations.
A graduate of Seton Hall University, Mr. Payne pursued
graduate studies at Springfield College in Massachusetts.
He held honorary doctorates from Drew University, Essex
County College, William Paterson University, Chicago State
University, Bloomfield College, and Berkeley College.
Congressman Payne was a widower, the father of three,
grandfather of four, and great-grandfather of one.

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Legislation, Resolutions, and Amendments Signed into
Public Law

110th Congress (2007-2008)

Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act (H.R.
3432; Public Law 110-183)

103d Congress (1993-1994)

Amendment adds increased access to physical education and health education
as an additional objective for the GOALS 2000 (H. Amdt. 355 to H.R. 1804;
Public Law 103-227)

Designating July 2, 1993 and July 2, 1994 as ``National Literacy Day''
(H.J. Res. 213; Public Law 103-52)

102d Congress (1991-1992)

Designating July 2, 1991 as ``National Literacy Day'' (H.J. Res. 259;
Public Law 102-66)

Designating July 2, 1992 as ``National Literacy Day'' (H.J. Res. 499;
Public Law 102-315)

Concurrent Resolutions Passed in Both Chambers of Congress

110th Congress (2007-2008)

Supporting the goals and ideals of the International Year of Sanitation (H.
Con. Res. 318)

Honoring and recognizing the dedication and achievements of Thurgood
Marshall on the 100th anniversary of his birth (H. Con. Res. 381)

Legislation, Resolutions, and Amendments Approved in the
House

112th Congress (2011-2012)

To designate the facility of the U.S. Postal Service located at 369 Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, NJ, as the ``Judge Shirley A.
Tolentino Post Office Building'' (H.R. 2896)

111th Congress (2009-2010)

Supporting the goals and ideals of Malaria Awareness Day (H. Con. Res. 103)

Recognizing the ``Day of the African Child'' on June 16, 2009, devoted to
the theme of child survival and to emphasize the importance of reducing
maternal, newborn, and child deaths in Africa (H. Res. 550)

110th Congress (2007-2008)

Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R. 2003)

Act commemorating the LITE, or Lifetime Innovations of Thomas Edison (H.R.
2627)

Supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day (H. Con. Res. 211)

Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya
(H. Con. Res. 283)

Honoring the life and achievements of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior
and reaffirming the continued commitment of the House of Representatives to
a just and lasting peace in the Republic of the Sudan (H. Res. 98)

Supporting the goals and ideals of Malaria Awareness Day (H. Res. 389)

Condemning postelection violence in Zimbabwe and calling for a peaceful
resolution to the current political crisis (H. Res. 1230)

109th Congress (2005-2006)

Supporting the goals and ideals of a National Weekend of Prayer and
Reflection for Darfur, Sudan (H. Res. 333)

108th Congress (2003-2004)

Celebrating 10 years of majority rule in the Republic of South Africa and
recognizing the momentous social and economic achievements of South Africa
since the institution of democracy in that country (H. Con. Res. 436)

Declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan (H. Con. Res. 467)

106th Congress (1999-2000)

Condemning the National Islamic Front (NIF) government for its genocidal
war in southern Sudan, support for terrorism, and continued human rights
violations, and for other purposes (H. Con. Res. 75)

Expressing concern over the escalating violence, the gross violations of
human rights, and the ongoing attempts to overthrow a democratically
elected government in Sierra Leone (H. Res. 62)

Congratulating the people of Senegal on the success of the multiparty
electoral process (H. Res. 449)

105th Congress (1997-1998)

Congratulating the people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana for
holding multiparty elections (H. Con. Res. 215)

Condemning the forced abduction of Ugandan children and their use as
soldiers (H. Con. Res. 309)

Amendment allows foreign assistance to be made to the Democratic Republic
of Congo as a part of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of
1998 (H. Amdt. 166 to H.R. 1757; approved by both Chambers but vetoed by
President)

103d Congress (1993-1994)

Concerning the movement toward democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(H. Con. Res. 151)

Concerning U.S. support for the new South Africa (H. Res. 560)

102d Congress (1991-1992)

Abandoned Infants Assistance Act Amendments of 1991 (H.R. 2722)

Concerning democratic changes and violations of human rights in Zaire (H.
Con. Res. 238)

Legislation, Resolutions, and Amendments Authored and
Introduced

112th Congress (2011-2012)

Prescribe a Book Act (H.R. 820)

Previous introductions: 111th Congress, H.R. 1526;
110th Congress, H.R. 4449

Lead Act (H.R. 1524)

Previous introduction: 111th Congress, H.R. 5495

Time for Innovation Matters in Education Act of 2011 (H.R. 1636)

Previous introductions: 111th Congress, H.R. 3130;
110th Congress, H.R. 3642

Promise Neighborhoods Act of 2011 (H.R. 2098)

To authorize National Mall Liberty Fund D.C. to establish a memorial on
Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor free persons and slaves
who fought for independence, liberty, and justice for all during the
American Revolution (H.R. 2181)

Previous introductions: 111th Congress, H.R. 4036;
110th Congress, H.R. 1693

Keeping PACE Act (H.R. 2691)

Previous introduction: 111th Congress, H.R. 3343

African Higher Education Advancement and Development Act (H.R. 2792)

Previous introduction: 111th Congress, H.R. 4392

To amend Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to
help close the gaps in principal preparation and provide new principals
with the support and tools they need to meet the complex challenges of
school leadership (H.R. 4113)

Althea Gibson Excellence Act (H.R. 4130)

International Food Assistance Improvement Act of 2012 (H.R. 4141)

Supporting the goals and ideals of World Malaria Day, and reaffirming U.S.
leadership and support for efforts to combat malaria as a critical
component of the President's Global Health Initiative (H. Con. Res. 49)

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Parthenon Marbles should be
returned to Greece (H. Con. Res. 54)

Previous introductions: 111th Congress, H. Con. Res.
122; 108th Congress, H. Con. Res. 165; 107th
Congress, H. Con. Res. 436; 106th Congress, H. Con.
Res. 294

Welcoming the independence of the Republic of South Sudan, congratulating
the people of South Sudan for freely and peacefully expressing their will
through an internationally accepted referendum, and calling on the
Governments and people of Sudan and South Sudan to peacefully resolve
outstanding issues including the final status of Abyei (H. Con. Res. 65)

Supporting the democratic aspirations of the Ivoirian people and calling on
the United States to apply intense diplomatic pressure and provide
humanitarian support in response to the political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire
(H. Res. 85)

Concerning efforts to provide humanitarian relief to mitigate the effects
of drought and avert famine in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia,
Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya (H. Res. 361)

Recognizing the importance labor unions play in ensuring a strong middle
class by advocating for more equitable wages, humane work conditions,
improved benefits, and increased civic engagement by everyday workers (H.
Res. 452)

To commemorate the life and accomplishments of Whitney Elizabeth Houston
over the past 48 years; and expressing the condolences of the House of
Representatives to her family upon her death (H. Res. 555)

111th Congress (2009-2010)

Act commemorating the LITE (H.R. 165)

Substitute Teaching Improvement Act (H.R. 2011)

Previous introduction: 110th Congress, H.R. 3345

To promote youth financial education (H.R. 2012)

Previous introduction: 110th Congress, H.R. 4335

To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Thurgood Marshall (H.R.
2013)

Previous introductions: 109th Congress, H.R. 657;
108th Congress, H.R. 4178

Restitution for the Exonerated Act of 2009 (H.R. 2095)

Previous introduction: 110th Congress, H.R. 4063

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit against tax
for expenses paid or incurred in nonclinical research for neglected
diseases (H.R. 3156)

Equity in Excellence Act of 2010 (H.R. 5586)

Zimbabwe Renewal Act of 2010 (H.R. 5971)

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the refinancing of
certain private education loans for physicians practicing primary care
medicine (H.R. 6374)

Expressing congratulations and support for the appointment of former
President William J. Clinton as United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti, and
for other purposes (H. Res. 801)

Expressing strong support for lasting peace, democracy, and economic
recovery in Somalia (H. Res. 859)

110th Congress (2007-2008)

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Jerry Lewis in recognition of his
outstanding service to the Nation (H.R. 3035)

Global HIV/AIDS Food Security and Nutrition Support Act of 2007 (H.R. 4914)

Just and Lasting Peace in Sudan Act of 2008 (H.R. 6416)

South African Enterprise Development Fund Act of 2008 (H.R. 7164)

Millennium Challenge Compact Improvement Act (MICA) (H.R. 7165)

Expressing support for advancing vital U.S. interests through increased
engagement in health programs that alleviate disease and poverty, and
reduce premature death in developing nations, especially through programs
that combat high levels of infectious disease, improve children's and
women's health, decrease malnutrition, reduce unintended pregnancies, fight
the spread of HIV/AIDS, encourage healthy behaviors, and strengthen health
care capacity (H. Con. Res. 247)

Recognizing the importance of addressing the plight of Afro-Colombians (H.
Res. 618)

Honoring the dedication and hard work of Professor Eric Reeves on behalf of
the people of Sudan (H. Res. 792)

Calling for the full implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (H. Res. 910)

Amendment increases funding to fight the global spread of tuberculosis by
$50 million (H. Amdt. 359 to H.R. 2764)

109th Congress (2005-2006)

Darfur Genocide Accountability Act of 2005 (H.R. 1424)

Remembering the victims of the genocide that occurred in 1994 in Rwanda and
pledging to work to ensure that such an atrocity does not take place again
(H. Con. Res. 88)

Previous introduction: 108th Congress, H. Con. Res.
406

Paying tribute to the Africa-America Institute (AAI) for its more than 50
years of dedicated service toward nurturing and unleashing the productive
capacities of knowledgeable, capable, and effective African leaders through
education (H. Con. Res. 261)

Commending the people of the Republic of Liberia for holding peaceful
national elections in 2005 and congratulating President Ellen Johnson-
Sirleaf on her victory and becoming the first female president of any
African country (H. Con. Res. 313)

Expressing condolences to the people and Government of Nigeria for the loss
of life suffered in the crash of a Nigerian passenger jet on October 22,
2005 and the tragic death of Stella Obasanjo, wife of Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo, at a hospital in Spain on October 23, 2005 (H. Res. 536)

Urging the Government of the Gabonese Republic to hold orderly, peaceful,
and free and fair Presidential elections in November 2005 (H. Res. 554)

108th Congress (2003-2004)

Ending Polio in Our Time Act (H.R. 1892)

To designate the air traffic control tower at Newark International Airport
in Newark, NJ, as the ``William J. `Whitey' Conrad Air Traffic Control
Tower'' (H.R. 1987)

Previous introduction: 107th Congress, H.R. 2803

Ralph J. Bunche Scholarship Act (H.R. 3152)

Hour of Pay for an Hour of Work Act (H.R. 3174)

Previous introduction: 107th Congress, H.R. 4762

Concerning the transition to democracy in the Republic of Burundi (H. Con.
Res. 154)

Acknowledging the strong relationship between the United States and the
Republic of Mali and recognizing Mali's role in building a participative
democracy, providing leadership through conflict resolution and
peacekeeping activities, and supporting the fight against terrorism (H.
Con. Res. 229)

Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to the urgency of providing
support for the ``Agreement on Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities
Between the Government of the Republic of Liberia and Liberians United for
Reconciliation and Democracy and the Movement for Democracy of Liberia,''
and for other purposes (H. Con. Res. 240)

Urging a full and impartial inquiry into the murder of attorney Pat
Finucane in 1989 in Northern Ireland (H. Con. Res. 267)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to polio
(H. Res. 20)

Expressing support for the Head Start Program, which has had a positive
impact on the lives of low-income children and families since its inception
and endorsing its administrative structure and program content (H. Res.
238)

Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of the United States Supreme
Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (H. Res. 508)

Honoring and recognizing the achievements of Thurgood Marshall and
encouraging Congress to award him the Congressional Gold Medal (H. Res.
509)

107th Congress (2001-2002)

Stop Gun Trafficking Act of 2001 (H.R. 998)

To restrict U.S. assistance of any kind to Turkey until Turkey uses its
influence with the Turkish Cypriot leadership to achieve a settlement on
Cyprus based on United Nations Security Council resolutions (H.R. 2707)

Regarding the human rights situation in the Republic of the Sudan,
including the practice of chattel slavery and all other forms of booty and
related practices (H. Con. Res. 82)

Regarding the human rights situation in Sudan, including the practice of
chattel slavery (H. Con. Res. 112)

Regarding human rights violations and oil development in Sudan (H. Con.
Res. 113)

Condemning the National Islamic Front (NIF) Government of Sudan for its
genocidal war against the people of southern Sudan and expressing support
for the Vigil for Sudan being held at Galvez Park in Washington, DC (H.
Con. Res. 478)

106th Congress (1999-2000)

Northern Ireland Peace Act (H.R. 2109)

Previous introduction: 105th Congress, H.R. 1075

Northern Ireland Peace and Reconciliation Act (H.R. 2110)

Previous introduction: 105th Congress, H.R. 4494

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act of 2000 (H.R. 4956)

Condemning the brutal killing of Rosemary Nelson (H. Con. Res. 59)

Expressing the sense of Congress with regard to cultural education and
awareness of the history of slavery in America (H. Con. Res. 103)

Concerning efforts to avert drought and famine in Africa, particularly
Ethiopia (H. Con. Res. 316)

Amendment sought to strike title VIII of the bill that permits schoolwide
program funding for schools that serve at least 40 percent of children from
low-income families (H. Amdt. 537 to H.R. 2)

An amendment to provide that not less than $720 million shall be made
available for the Development Fund for Africa (H. Amdt. 989 to H.R. 4811)

An amendment to provide that $500,000 shall be made available for a grant
to the Office of the Facilitator of the National Dialogue for the peace
process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (H. Amdt. 990 to H.R. 4811)

An amendment to prohibit assistance to any country that is not in
compliance with U.N. sanctions against Angola (H. Amdt. 994 to H.R. 4811)

Amendment no. 56 printed in the Congressional Record to restrict assistance
to governments destabilizing Angola (H. Amdt. 996 to H.R. 4811)

Amendment no. 57 printed in the Congressional Record to provide $15 million
in assistance for the National Democratic Alliance of Sudan (H. Amdt. 1002
to H.R. 4811)

105th Congress (1997-1998)

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the
exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance programs, to restore
such exclusion for graduate level courses, and to allow a deduction for
interest on education loans (H.R. 1632)

Nigeria Democracy Act (H.R. 1786)

Previous introduction: 104th Congress, H.R. 2697

Expanding International Education for All Act (H.R. 3311)

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require providers of wireless
services to render bills that itemize the calls made by the subscriber
(H.R. 4493)

To amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to
extend the legislative authority for the Black Patriots Foundation to
establish a commemorative work (H.R. 4573)

Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the discrimination by
the German Government against members of minority religious groups,
particularly the continued and increasing discrimination by the German
Government against performers, entertainers, and other artists from the
United States associated with Scientology (H. Con. Res. 22)

Congratulating the people of the Republic of Liberia for holding multiparty
elections (H. Con. Res. 135)

Regarding the human rights situation in Sudan and Mauritania, including the
practice of chattel slavery and all other forms of booty (H. Con. Res. 234)

Amendment allows foreign assistance to be made to the Democratic Republic
of Congo (H. Amdt. 166 to H.R. 1757)

104th Congress (1995-1996)

Abandoned and Medically Fragile Infants Assistance Act of 1995 (H.R. 1263)

Agriculture Modernization Act of 1995 (H.R. 1354)

Congressional Award Act Amendments of 1995 (H.R. 2396)

To prohibit economic assistance, military assistance, or arms transfers to
the Government of Sudan until appropriate action is taken to eliminate
chattel slavery in Sudan, and for other purposes (H.R. 3766)

Liberian Peace and Democracy Act (H.R. 4001)

Concerning the movement toward democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(H. Con. Res. 40)

Expressing the sense of the Congress that any legislation passed by the
Congress relating to assistance for school lunch and breakfast programs
should include a requirement to provide free lunches and breakfasts to
economically disadvantaged students (H. Con. Res. 49)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the
promotion of democracy and civil society in Zaire (H. Res. 399)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that criminals from
the genocide in Rwanda should be brought to justice by the International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (H. Res. 491)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that criminals from
the genocide in Rwanda should be brought to justice by the International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (H. Res. 494)

Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to achieve a balanced budget
by fiscal year 2002 through spending cuts of $518 billion along with $583
billion in net revenues, spending less on defense and keeping Medicare and
Medicaid funding at levels that the Congressional Budget Office estimates
is necessary to continue current services, and placing priorities on
programs such as education and job training, and increasing taxes on
multinational corporations, slowing down depreciation writeoffs for
business equipment and taxing capital gains income at the same rate as
ordinary income (H. Amdt. 397 to H. Con. Res. 67)

Amendment sought to provide that nothing in the bill shall be construed as
prohibiting the investment by an employee benefit plan in infrastructure
improvements (H. Amdt. 772 to H.R. 1594)

Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to provide for a balanced
budget by FY 2002 by reducing spending by $333.1 billion and increasing
revenue by $486.6 billion. It would have provided for decreased funding for
defense over 6 years; maintained Medicare and Medicaid expenditures at
levels that CBO estimates is required to maintain current services;
increased funding for education, job training, and social services; and
provided for revenue increases by revising tax provisions relating to
capital gains, and multinational and foreign controlled corporations (H.
Amdt. 1061 to H. Con. Res. 178)

An amendment to appropriate $704,000,000 for the Development Fund for
Africa (H. Amdt. 1115 to H.R. 3540)

103d Congress (1993-1994)

Homestead Rebate Exemption Act of 1993 (H.R. 735)

To exclude shipboard supervisory personnel from selection as employer
representatives, and for other purposes (H.R. 859)

To reduce until January 1, 1995, the duty on succinic anhydride (H.R. 1117)

Previous introduction: 102d Congress, H.R. 4945

Urban Schools of America (USA) Act of 1993 (H.R. 1202)

Community Job Training and Investment Act of 1993 (H.R. 1467)

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in order to provide an incentive
for business to invest in pollution abatement property and related assets
(H.R. 2456)

Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act (H.R. 2571)

Youth Development Block Grant Act of 1993 (H.R. 4086)

1995 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 5192)

Concerning democracy for Zaire (H. Res. 128)

102d Congress (1991-1992)

College Opportunity Act of 1991 (H.R. 3364)

Concerning democratic changes and violations of human rights in Zaire (H.R.
3406)

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the results of
the 1990 census should be statistically adjusted to include individuals who
were overlooked in the census (H. Res. 214)

101st Congress (1989-1990)

Community Education Empowerment Center Act of 1989 (H.R. 3465)

Designating July 2, 1989, as ``National Literacy Day'' (H.J. Res. 277)

Designating July 2, 1990, as ``National Literacy Day'' (H.J. Res. 530)

Additional Legislative Achievements

112th Congress (2011-2012)

In honor of his longtime commitment to international development and
diversity, on March 2, 2012, USAID announced the Donald M. Payne
Development Fellowship Program, designed to attract outstanding young
members of minority groups who have historically been underrepresented in
international development careers.

110th Congress (2007-2008)

In 2008, Congressman Payne was successful in his advocacy of H.R. 5501 that
allocated $50 billion to help combat the HIV/AIDS, malaria, and
tuberculosis that burden the world under the historic PEPFAR Program.

109th Congress (2005-2006)

In 2006, Congressman Payne served as the ranking member of the House
International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and
International Operations when the Subcommittee marked up the Darfur Peace
and Accountability Act of 2006, which was signed into law.

108th Congress (2003-2004)

Congressman Payne helped introduce a measure, subsequently approved, to
strengthen the Microenterprise Act, providing small business loans to
people in developing nations.

106th Congress (1999-2000)

In 2000, Congressman Payne helped spearhead the passage of critical
economic legislation, the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), which
promotes African economic development and trade with the United States. In
2009, he helped launch the African Partnership for Economic Growth Caucus.
?

MEMORIAL ADDRESSES

AND

OTHER TRIBUTES

FOR

DONALD M. PAYNE

Proceedings in the House of Representatives
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I came here to speak about a
topic which I will address shortly, but I could not take
the moment to reflect on the passing of a great man who
served in this Chamber since 1989, Representative Donald
Payne of New Jersey, who passed away this morning.
Representative Payne sat in this section. He was a quiet,
righteous, courageous man with whom I had the good fortune
to travel with at the request of and sponsorship of CARE
and the Gates Foundation to Rwanda and to the Congo last
August.
He cared about children greatly. He cared about
education. He cared about people, and was very upset some
years back when Don Imus, the radio shock jock, said some
wrongful things about the Rutgers women's basketball team
that cost Mr. Imus his position. . . .

Ms. WOOLSEY. . . . My 7-year-old grandson, Jake Eddie,
is joining me in Washington this week, and I believe it is
our responsibility to make a promise to him and to his
classmates and his peers. Our legacy to them must be a
world free of nuclear weapons. Our legacy to them must be
a peaceful future. And one step in the right direction, in
the memory of Donald Payne, is to bring our troops home
from Afghanistan.

PRAYER
The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, offered
the following prayer:
Loving God, we give You thanks for giving us another
day.
Today is a significant day for Americans in this
election year. We ask Your blessing upon the American
people, especially those who choose to participate this
day in primary elections. Give them good judgment and a
sincere desire for the welfare of this great Nation as
they cast their ballots.
Bless, as well, the Members of this People's House. May
they be filled with Your spirit this day and exercise
their responsibilities with wisdom, understanding, and
goodwill. May all they do be for Your greater honor and
glory.
In the past few days, O Lord, many have been assailed by
terrifying and destructive weather. Send Your healing balm
upon those who have been afflicted and bless with rapid
success the efforts of those emergency responders who are
working tirelessly to rebuild shattered lives and
communities.
And finally, with sorrow, we acknowledge the passing of
Donald Payne of the 10th District of New Jersey. We thank
You for his years of service in this assembly and ask You
to bless his family and loved ones. Eternal rest grant
unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through
the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, last night we lost
a world leader, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an
uncle, a great leader who consistently brought light to
human suffering taking place around the world and what we
here in Washington, DC, can do for it.
It is with a heavy heart that I rise today in memory and
in honor of Congressman Don Payne, a brilliant leader,
former chair of the Africa Subcommittee on Foreign
Affairs, and to do what I'm sure he would be doing if he
were with us today, speak out against the massacres taking
place in Sudan.
These killings are taking place in the Sudanese state of
South Kordofan, outside the view of this Congress, and
most Americans are unaware of this humanitarian
catastrophe unfolding in the same region where we saw
bloodshed in Darfur for many years.
Madam Speaker, on this day of mourning for
Representative Payne, I know he would want us to recommit
ourselves to act to prevent further bloodshed and
suffering in Sudan.
My thoughts and my prayers are with Congressman Payne's
family, his friends, and his constituents. May his legacy
live forever. I will deeply miss his wise counsel and his
friendship.

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, today the House of
Representatives lost a distinguished Member who served
with honor for more than two decades. I had the pleasure
of working with Donald Payne many times over the years. He
had an incredible heart for Africa and suffering people in
every corner of the continent.
From Morocco to South Africa, he was a tireless advocate
for freedom and self-determination. We worked together
speaking on behalf of the Sahrawi people in Western
Sahara. Representative Payne watched Western Sahara
closely, working toward a peaceful resolution that would
allow for a free referendum that could establish self-
government.
We also worked together in 2007 to recognize the 200th
anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade
and to honor the legacy of William Wilberforce.
In one amazing episode, he risked his life seeking peace
in Sudan and nearly had his plane shot down in 2009.
Donald Payne never missed an opportunity to advocate on
behalf of the oppressed, and his work has had a lasting
impact on the human rights of people around the world. I'm
proud to have fought the good fight alongside of him.
He will be missed.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would like to speak about
my dear friend and colleague, Donald Payne, who passed
away this morning. I saw him on Saturday for the last
time, and I can't think of anybody who in this House has
been closer to me and someone who made it so much better
for us to be in Congress, not only for all of us as
colleagues but also for the rest of the world.
Donald always made me smile. Donald was a very serious
person who cared so much about his constituents in Newark
and the rest of the towns that he represented in New
Jersey and really reached out to the rest of the world. He
was always looking out for the concerns of the poor and
the disadvantaged and the people in need, whether it was
their health care or whether they had adequate food or
housing.
But I think more than anything else, I remember his
smile. He would always be happy. He would always have a
joke to tell; and, frankly, in dealing with all the
serious issues that he dealt with and he cared so much
about, both here at home, as well as overseas, it was
always nice to have someone that you could call a friend,
that you could confide in, that you could talk to about
your own problems as well, but always with that smile,
always with that joke, always with the ability to say,
Frank, you know, let's not take ourselves too seriously,
even though we have a lot of serious work to do.
I will sorely miss him. I don't think there will be
anybody who can replace him, and I just want to reach out
to his family and his friends back at home today and
express my sympathy to all of them for such a wonderful
person that you were able to share some time with here.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Would the gentleman yield for
just a moment?

Mr. PALLONE. I yield to the gentlewoman.

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Just one simple statement. I
couldn't leave the floor.
Just to express our love and affection for Don Payne and
just to say that he saved lives because he intruded in
places like Africa and Sudan, and many other places. He
saved lives because of his compassion for people, his
fight for human rights, and his fight for peace.

Mr. PALLONE. Thank you.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep
sorrow that I inform the House that our dear friend and
colleague, Don Payne, has passed. He had colon cancer.
In a few moments a privileged resolution will be offered
on the floor that recognizes and honors this extraordinary
man who dedicated his entire life to public service, a man
who made a significant difference in the lives of many in
his district, in our State, in the Nation, and in the
world.
Elected in 1988, after first serving as a Newark city
councilman and Essex County freeholder, this high school
teacher and coach-turned-politician went on to be the
first African American ever to serve in Congress from the
State of New Jersey.
Don fought tenaciously to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic
and mitigate the loss of life and morbidity from
tuberculosis and malaria on the subcontinent of Africa. He
coauthored the Sudan Peace Act and worked tirelessly to
end the genocide in both South Sudan and Darfur. As a
matter of fact, he even risked his life in Somalia--was
shot at--in the pursuit of peace.
I know first hand, Mr. Speaker, how much he truly cared
and how hard he worked for peace and reconciliation in
war-ravaged nations. I served as the ranking member of the
Africa Subcommittee when he chaired it, and he served as
the ranking member when I chaired it.
Finally, let me just say that Don Payne also served as
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and until his
untimely death today, chairman of the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation. He was predeceased by his wife, Hazel.
Don is also the proud father of three, grandfather of
four, and great-grandfather of one.
Donald Payne, Mr. Speaker, will be missed.
I yield to my good friend and colleague, Mr. Pallone.

Mr. PALLONE. I thank my friend.
Mr. Speaker, I can't believe that Don Payne is not with
us today. I'm looking over there where he would often sit,
and I would come down on the floor and ask him to do a One
Minute or a Special Order.
He was very proud of his African American roots, and it
was one of the reasons that he would often go to Africa
and champion so many causes for those there.
Don cared so deeply about his hometown of Newark and the
other towns that he represented. He was always looking out
for those in need--the disadvantaged and the poor. Those
were the people that he cared about, and he spent so much
time trying to deal with their problems and making their
lives better.
I think more than anything else I remember Don's smile.
Don always felt that things could get better and that we
could work together. I think a lot of people don't know
that his district was very diverse. There were many
African Americans, but there were also many people of
other nationalities. We would often talk about the Italian
Americans that he had lived with, grew up with, and worked
with in his district.
Don always felt that we could have a better world, that
Democrats and Republicans could work together and that
people could work across ethnic and racial barriers. He
always made me feel, no matter how down I was on a
particular day, that this place was important and that we
can make a difference in people's lives. So I will sorely
miss him.
I would ask that this afternoon, at the end of the day,
at approximately 4 o'clock, we have unlimited One Minutes,
and we're going to have a bipartisan hour Special Order
where Members can come down and pay tribute.
Moment of Silence
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I do ask for a
moment of silence to remember our dearly departed friend,
Don Payne.

The SPEAKER. Members and guests will rise and observe a
moment of silence.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I offer a
privileged resolution and ask for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 571
Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow
of the death of the Honorable Donald M. Payne, a
Representative from the State of New Jersey.
Resolved, That a committee of such Members of the House
as the Speaker may designate, together with such Members
of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the
funeral.
Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House be
authorized and directed to take such steps as may be
necessary for carrying out the provisions of these
resolutions and that the necessary expenses in connection
therewith be paid out of applicable accounts of the House.
Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions
to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of
the deceased.
Resolved, That when the House adjourns today, it adjourn
as a further mark of respect to the memory of the
deceased.

The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fincher). Under the
Speaker's announced policy of January 5, 2011, the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) is
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority
leader.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, today, as you heard, the
House, the Congress as a whole, the 10th District of New
Jersey, our Nation, the countries of Africa and the
Caribbean, of Ireland, where he was an honorary citizen
and, indeed, the world, has suffered a great loss. Donald
Payne was a friend and advocate for the world and all of
its peoples, but particularly for the sons of Africa here
and worldwide.
Tonight I am honored to chair this Special Order in his
honor, and to recognize my colleagues from both sides of
the aisle who will be coming to pay tribute to Donald
Payne.
I'd like to begin by asking unanimous consent that all
Members might have 5 legislative days in which to revise
and extend their remarks and include extraneous material
on the topic of the Special Order.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the
request of the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
There was no objection.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I'd like to begin by yielding 2
minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison).

Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, Donald Payne played a very
special role in my service as a Member of Congress. I
didn't know him nearly as long as many other Members, and
I guess I probably didn't know him as well; but there is
no doubt that as a Member coming into Congress trying to
figure out how to be the best Member I could be, Donald
Payne was one of the people who I admired and looked to,
and no more so than when he was fighting for the human
rights of all people.
Donald Payne gave me a new and unique perspective on
suffering in Darfur, explaining the complexities as it
related to making sure that Darfurians not only got
relief, but also eventually one day would get justice.
But he didn't stop there. I have a large percentage of
my constituents who hail from Somalia, and Donald Payne
gave me historic perspective on Somalia on a regular
basis, which I didn't have, and also, again, helped me
understand how difficult it was and how important it also
was that we stand for stability for the people of Somalia.
In fact, his level of commitment to the people of Somalia
was so great, he got into an airplane and flew there and,
on his way out, was actually shot at when al-Shabab tried
to take his life for showing concern for the people.
Yet he traveled many places and really went all around
the world; but he also went into my district, as he went
to many districts, and I'll never forget the day when we
organized a community forum on East Africa. We had Somalis
in the room, people from the Ogaden region of Ethiopia,
people from Eritrea, all over, immigrants who made America
their home either by choice or because they were refugees.
For 3 straight hours, Donald Payne answered their
questions, gave them comfort and assurance and
information.
He is a towering figure in my world, and I don't think
we'll ever forget Donald Payne. I just say, may he rest in
peace, and God bless him and his family.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I'd like to yield 2 minutes to Mr.
Wolf of Virginia.

Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
the life and legacy of Congressman Donald Payne.
As a public servant, Congressman Payne has consistently
stood with the forgotten people and causes. He has
championed their plight and advocated on their behalf,
perhaps none more so than the long-suffering people of the
Southern Sudan.
For years, Congressman Payne advocated for self-
determination for the people of South Sudan, who had
endured great hardship at the hands of the government in
Khartoum. He was also the leading voice in urging States
in the United States to divest from companies doing
business in Sudan in light of the government's horrific
human rights abuses.
Congressman Payne was the sponsor of the congressional
resolution calling attention to the horrors unfolding in
Darfur, a resolution which was rightly labeled as
``tragedy,'' ``genocide.'' The list goes on and on.
I had the honor of being with Congressman Payne in
Nairobi, Kenya, in 2005 for the historic signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement which marked the end of a
brutal civil war between the north and the south which
spanned 21 years and claimed the lives of more than 2
million people. Congressman Payne labored for years to see
that day arrive. No one did more than Don Payne to bring
about the new country, which is now the country of
Southern Sudan.
He, fittingly, returned to South Sudan in July 2011 to
join the people of that land in celebrating their long-
awaited independence, a fulfillment of the promise. Upon
being chosen to be part of the official U.S. delegation,
Congressman Payne issued the following statement. He said:

As a ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, I
have been committed to helping Sudan achieve peace and
justice.

Indeed, he was committed. Congressman Payne worked hard.
He traveled to the region countless times. He experienced
the people suffering, and then he acted. Congressman Payne
heard the people suffering and never chose to look the
other way.
My thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Payne's
family as they grieve, and Congress will profoundly miss
his voice, as will thousands of others around the world.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I would next like to yield 2 minutes
to the Congresswoman from Texas, Congresswoman Eddie
Bernice Johnson.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Thank you to my
colleague from the Virgin Islands.
I rise to speak today about the loss of Congressman
Donald Payne. Congressman Payne lost his battle with
cancer early this morning, and we in Congress lost an
esteemed colleague.
My relationship and acquaintance with Congressman Payne
began before I came to Congress when I met him while he
served on the national YMCA board and became the chair of
the national YMCA board; and I know him as a devoted
public servant who used his position in Congress to
advocate for those less fortunate, first, as a teacher,
and later, serving on the House Committee on Education and
the Workforce. He was an advocate for children and worked
to make college more affordable.
As the highest ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights,
he worked to promote human rights around the world and
helped secure billions of dollars in foreign aid for
treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
It is difficult to lose a member of the Congressional
Black Caucus family. We're small but very connected.
Congressman Payne served the 10th District of New Jersey
with dedication and served as the chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus as well.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family today in
this difficult time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I would like to yield 2 minutes to the
Congresswoman from the District of Columbia, Congresswoman
Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Ms. NORTON. I thank the gentlelady for yielding and for
leading this Special Order for our good friend and
colleague, Donald Payne, whose passing leaves me shocked
and deeply saddened after his 12 terms of outstanding
service in the House of Representatives.
Don was a friend. He was more than a colleague. He was
the kind of friend you could always strike up a
conversation with about technical matters or just matters
at hand because Don was easy of manner but strong of
conviction.
Don was a real pathbreaker and history maker. He came to
Congress as the first African American to serve in
Congress from the State of New Jersey. He followed the
great Peter Rodino, who had served Newark for decades.
Newark had become a majority African American city, but
Don grew up in a neighborhood that was as Italian as it
was Black and felt comfortable with people of all ethnic
groups.
When Congressman Rodino, who was then chair of the House
Judiciary Committee, retired--this was, of course, before
I came to Congress, but it was much commented upon--Don,
who had run against him several times and was the logical
person to win that seat, plunged into his work for a city
that needed a man of his depth of understanding and
conviction of their problems, their education, their
health care, their housing needs.
Newark, when the Congressman came here 12 terms ago,
personified, symbolized the great urban communities of our
country and the upheavals that they were undergoing. He
plunged into that work, and yet he was able, at the same
time, to become perhaps the House's most expert Member on
Africa and the Caribbean.
Don was a leader on Africa, who did not work from the
newspapers or the journals, but traveled the continent and
came back with firsthand information. For the
Congressional Black Caucus, Don was the go-to man. Nobody
from the caucus moved on a matter affecting Africa without
going to Don first. Go to the expert first, find out if
you're on the right foot, and then perhaps move forward.
Don was rigorous in his evaluation of the leadership of
the various countries of Africa. He never withheld when an
African leader needed the strong criticism of the United
States and his own strong criticism. Thus, his leadership
was trusted all across the Congress when he stepped
forward with his views. He worked with every President
because Republican and Democratic Presidents alike have
been involved in the issues affecting Africa; and they,
like us, turned to Don on those issues.
Where will we find such a Member today? Is there such a
Member who has devoted so much of his life not only to
urban America, but especially to Africa, who knew
everything, knew everyone, and knew anything we needed to
know?
Don will be greatly missed by this Chamber. He will
always be remembered. I know I speak for us all when I say
that his family has our deepest sympathy and our
everlasting love.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congresswoman.
I would like to now yield 2 minutes to one of Donald's
colleagues from New Jersey, Congressman Holt.

Mr. HOLT. I thank the gentlelady.
Mr. Speaker, all of us are saddened by the country's
loss of Don Payne, and it is going to be hard to get used
to the absence of Don.
Don has been a good friend to me, someone I've looked up
to here in Congress.
No one in Congress has been a stronger advocate for
equality of opportunity in education. No one in Congress
has been a greater advocate for children's services and
youth development. No one has been more knowledgeable
about Africa. No one has voted more consistently for
peaceful and nonmilitary resolutions to problems. No one
has been more consistent in the fight to respect workers'
safety and workers' conditions.
Throughout all of this, Don Payne was very attentive to
the interests of the entire State of New Jersey and
especially to the interests of his constituents.
He was instrumental in bringing international attention
and condemnation to the genocide in Darfur, as we've heard
already.
As a former educator, he brought an invaluable
perspective to our work together on the Education
Committee. He was responsible for getting many millions of
dollars to the PEPFAR Program for dealing with HIV,
resistant tuberculosis, malaria around the world, and
especially in Africa. I might add he did that with
President Bush.
He was a strong advocate for an adequate minimum wage.
He was a key player in writing the College Cost Reduction
and Access Act to cut interest rates for college loans, to
increase Pell grants, and to provide loan forgiveness to
public service employees with student debt. It was a great
pleasure and really a marvel to watch him on the Education
and the Workforce Committee.
Don was, I think you would say, an unabashed liberal,
recognizing that there are some things that we can do
better together than separately. He was not a you're-on-
your-own kind of guy. That was true in person too. He was
very inclusive. He had good humor and dignity in
everything he did. Don Payne was a good friend, a good
Member of this House, and a great public servant.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his many
friends, and I know his constituents will be hard pressed
to find somebody to represent them as well as Don Payne.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congressman Holt.
Now, I would like to yield 2 minutes to another
colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Frelinghuysen.

Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Don Payne and I have been friends for over 35 years. We
served together in county government as freeholders in New
Jersey from our respective counties, Morris and Essex
Counties, before he preceded me to Congress.
During his service in this House, he worked long and
hard on issues that literally cried out for attention.
At home we all admired his steadfast commitment to
ensuring that our Nation's children had the best quality
education possible.
Abroad he focused on global public health issues like
childhood survival and human rights on the continent of
Africa and elsewhere. Don Payne took up the cause for
suffering people around the world and gave voice to their
plight even at great personal risk.
Mr. Speaker, Don Payne loved Congress, he loved public
service, he loved New Jersey, and he loved his hometown of
Newark.
I was proud to work with him to revitalize the Passaic
River in Newark, that waterfront that for many years had
remained inaccessible to the public.
Don will be sorely missed, especially for his dedicated
service to his constituents over many decades. I'll never
forget his valuable service and his enduring friendship.
We've lost a great principled man who lived a life from
which we could all learn something.
May the tributes and prayers of so many of his
colleagues here this afternoon today be a source of
strength to his family.
Thank you.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you for joining us and for
offering those words on behalf of Congressman Payne.
I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the Congresswoman
from California, another dear friend of Congressman Payne,
Lynn Woolsey.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man
I loved, a man I respected, a friend for life, and a
mentor.
When I came to Congress, I couldn't have picked a better
mentor: a public school teacher from New Jersey, someone
kind and smart, dedicated, actually burning in his belly
about issues of value and conscience.
I served on Congressman Payne's Africa Subcommittee. He
served on my Workforce Protections Subcommittee. On both
panels, I benefited from his wisdom, advice, and
expertise. On the Africa Subcommittee, I was always amazed
at how much and who he knew.
This is a man who knew what public service was all
about. He was, as he described himself, a mild-mannered
man; but he was also tenacious, dedicated, and stubborn.
No one has worked harder to bring peace, democracy, and
human rights to Africa. He almost gave his life for the
cause a few years ago when his plane was shot by rebels as
he prepared to come home after a Somalia mission that
actually the State Department had warned him against.
As change continues to come--particularly to Africa in
the coming years--we'll all remember the role that Donald
Payne played in laying the groundwork in helping make that
change happen.
A true statesman and humanitarian, Donald's death this
morning already leaves an indescribable void. Donald Payne
had a huge heart and a keen mind. And believe me, I will
miss them both.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congresswoman Woolsey.
I would now like to yield 2 minutes to another colleague
from New Jersey, Congressman Lance.

Mr. LANCE. Thank you very much, and thank you for
yielding.
The Payne family occupies a fabled position in the
history of Newark, New Jersey's largest and greatest city.
The whole family has been involved in public service; and,
of course, Congressman Payne's public service here is of
almost a quarter-century duration.
Congressman Payne succeeded Congressman Rodino, the
distinguished chairman of the House Judiciary Committee at
the time of Watergate, well known in American history.
Congressman Rodino succeeded Congressman Hartley, who was
the Congressman from that part of New Jersey for a
generation, he, the author, with Senator Taft, of the
Taft-Hartley Act.
Over the course of the 20th century, in the district
that has been represented by Congressman Payne for a
quarter century, the provenance of that district is Fred
Hartley, a Republican, of the Taft-Hartley Act; Peter
Rodino, the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary
Committee during Watergate; and now for 24 years, Donald
Payne. The character of that district is the character of
this Nation and certainly the character of the great city
of Newark over the course of the 20th and into the 21st
century.
The Payne family not only includes the distinguished
Congressman, but his brother, Bill Payne, with whom I had
the honor of serving in the New Jersey Legislature. His
brother, Bill, and I worked together in the creation of
the Amistad Commission in New Jersey. Of course, that
commission dealing with the work of the great Amistad
trial based upon the mutiny in 1839 of a slave ship, so
brilliantly defended by John Quincy Adams, whose portrait
hangs 10 feet from the entrance of the House of
Representatives. In working with Congressman Payne's
brother, Bill Payne, in the New Jersey Legislature, I got
to know the Payne family and certainly, through his
brother, Bill, I got to know the Congressman, and what a
great honor for me to have served here in Congress with
Don Payne.
Mr. Speaker, finally, several days before Martin Luther
King was assassinated in Memphis, he was in Newark, and he
was in Newark at the request of leaders there, including
Donald Payne and William Payne. Among the most prized
possessions of the Payne family are photographs of Martin
Luther King taken days before his assassination as the
Paynes were attempting to bring about justice in the city
of Newark. Certainly no Member of the House of
Representatives was more committed to justice, not only
here in this country, and within this country, in the city
of Newark and the State of New Jersey, but justice across
the world, so that children in poverty could have a decent
quality of health care and, as has been cited, the
Congressman almost lost his life in that regard.
The country is poorer for the loss of Donald Payne, but
this country is greater for his public service on the
governing body of the city of Newark, his public service
as a county commissioner--we use the term freeholder in
Essex County, NJ--his public service to the entire State,
and I respectfully suggest, to the United States of
America. We mourn his loss, but we celebrate his life.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congressman Lance.
I yield to the gentlewoman from California,
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who I believe succeeded
Donald Payne as the chairperson of the Congressional Black
Caucus.

Ms. WATERS. I appreciate your organizing the time for us
to come to the floor and speak about our friend, Donald
Payne. We are all so sad, and we are going to miss him,
but we also know that the service that he gave to this
country, even long before he came to the Congress of the
United States, and the service that he has given to this
country since being a Member of Congress, is unmatched by
any Member of Congress.
Donald Payne was a true servant who not only served his
State of New Jersey, but Donald Payne was someone who took
care of his district. When I take a look at all of the
capacities that he served in the State of New Jersey, I am
just in awe, counting Democratic chairman, executive of
the Prudential Insurance Company, vice president of Urban
Data Systems, educator for the Newark and Passaic Public
School Districts, former national president of the YMCA,
chairman of the World Refugee and Rehabilitation
Committee--it goes on and on. He brought with him to
Congress the same attitude, the same commitment to
service.
Since his service in Congress, of course, he left us as
chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. He
served as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
immediately prior to my being elected to that post, and I
learned a lot from his service about how to chair the
Congressional Black Caucus.
Don Payne was known for several things but certainly
known and respected for his commitment to education,
closing the achievement gap, making sure that we expand
opportunities for the least of these with Pell grants,
making sure that he reduced the interest rates on some of
the loans, the Stafford loans, for example. He was known
because he understood that as a public policy maker he
could influence education in this country, and he
certainly did that.
I also would like to point to his record of achievement
serving as the chair of the Africa Subcommittee of the
Foreign Affairs Committee, where he was the expert,
unmatched. As a matter of fact, Donald Payne traveled to
Africa, East Africa, West Africa, throughout his career,
and he knew all of these countries on the continent, and
he knew the leaders, past and present.
As a matter of fact, Don didn't wait for a codel of a
lot of people to be organized to go to a troubled spot.
Don would get on the airplane by himself, a one-person
codel, and travel, set up his own meetings with the
leaders of those countries, talk with them about what was
taking place in those countries and get an understanding
of what needed to be done. He coupled all of this with the
history of the countries of Africa.
Don was an educator, he was a teacher, he was a
historian. So he knew a lot about the backgrounds of these
countries because he had studied that. When he coupled
that information with what was going on at the present
time that he was visiting and working on issues in those
countries, he made it all come together, and he helped us
all to understand. He was our go-to person on Africa for
sure.
When we wanted to know what was going on--and some
people who were not that involved in foreign affairs and
in Africa, they just followed his vote. When they looked
upon that panel, they looked at how Don Payne was voting,
and then they followed his leadership.
We are going to miss that leadership. We are going to
miss this dedication. We are going to miss this mild-
mannered man who loved his job, who loved his district.
I'm always going to remember that he invited me to his
district on several occasions. I went up with Don, I
campaigned with him. I went about the community. He
introduced me to the ministers, and he was well respected
and loved in his district.
Of course, we all know why, because he was dedicated to
the district, and he did so much for the district. The
district is going to miss Don Payne. It will be hard to
match the work that he did and his success and his
achievements. We're going to remember each time we're
involved in some of the same issues that Don was involved
in. We're going to ask ourselves, what would Don have
done, and we're going to follow the thinking of Don Payne
on those issues.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congresswoman Waters.
I yield 2 minutes to the Congressman from Texas (Mr. Al
Green).

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I thank the gentlelady.
Mr. Speaker, it is said that a politician will always
rise to the occasion, and the Honorable Don Payne did rise
to the occasion many times.
It is also said that a statesman makes the occasion. Don
Payne was more than a politician, he was a statesman. He
made the occasion in Darfur, where he went to make sure
those who were suffering would have an opportunity to have
a better quality of life, and he was to this day still
working to help the people of Darfur. When it came to
AIDS, he helped raise $50 million to help those who are
beset with this disease.
He worked with his colleagues, pulled us together,
helped us unite to do things collectively that we could
never do apart. He developed a symbiotic relationship
among his many relationships. When I think of Donald
Payne, I will always remember that he was a person of
honor. He honored his word. To his friends his word meant
something, but more important, he honored his word to
foes, people who disagreed with him. Once they had his
word, they had a word they could count on.
I will remember that he was a person who respected this
institution. This institution meant something to the
Honorable Don Payne.
What this institution stood for and how we could utilize
this institution to make a difference in the lives of
others was important to him. He was a person of valor. He
would stand with you. He was determined. He was a fighter.
He came under fire, I'm told, in Africa as he was trying
to help others.
And finally, I will say this: I truly do believe that
God is good all the time. Even under circumstances such as
these, I believe God is good because we didn't have to
have him for 77 years. We didn't have to have him in this
House for 12 terms. I didn't have to have him as a friend
for 8 years. I believe that God is good all the time, and
I am so proud that God allowed him to come this way and I
had the benefit of calling him my friend.
Don, we love you, and I know that wherever you are,
there is a statesman there who is making the occasion.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank Congressman Green, and now I
would like to yield to another colleague from New Jersey
and friend of Donald Payne, Congressman Chris Smith.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I thank you very much and
appreciate the gentlelady for yielding. Let me join my
distinguished colleagues in expressing our deepest
condolences to Don Payne's family. He was truly a
remarkable man. I had the privilege of sitting next to him
for about 15 years as I was the chairman or he was the
chairman of the Human Rights Committee, the Africa
Committee as well. I was his ranking, he was my chairman,
and we always worked in a very cooperative way. We always
had mutual respect, and he had such a deep compassion for
the people who have suffered so much on the subcontinent
of Africa.
Don Payne was quiet, but always determined. Extremely
thoughtful, a humanitarian in the extreme, and he fought
for so many important issues. You know, it was not a slam
dunk or in any way a given that PEPFAR, the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, would become law. Don was
there working in a bipartisan way to ensure that
sufficient funding, sufficient authorities were given to
the U.S. Agency for International Development to mount a
massive effort to combat the pandemic of HIV/AIDS. He did
the same thing with malaria and the Malaria Caucus, and he
did the same thing with tuberculosis, which sadly is an
opportunistic disease that afflicts so many people who
have HIV/AIDS.
On the Sudan Peace Act, again when we were looking and
working so hard to try to stop the slaughter in South
Sudan, there was Don Payne working every day of the week
to ensure that somehow peace would break out and the
genocide would end there, as well as in Darfur.
Again, I know that he cared deeply because I was there
having those conversations with him day in and day out.
Very often in my Subcommittee on Human Rights when I
chaired that and he was the ranking member, we would go on
receiving testimony, debating for hours. There would be
two Members left standing in the room, Don Payne and me,
because he cared so deeply about human rights globally, as
well as in Africa. He will be deeply missed. Again, a
great man, a great friend, and his passing is mourned by
everyone in this Chamber and everybody in the State of New
Jersey.
God bless him, God bless his family, and thank you, Don
Payne, for the great work you did in the U.S. House of
Representatives.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank Congressman Smith, and now I'd
like to yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Clarke).

Mr. CLARKE of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding to me.
I am one of the newest members of the Congressional
Black Caucus. Being a freshman here in this body, you
become immediately aware of the traditions of the House.
For example, male Members of the House are referred to as
the gentleman from the State that they represent. Donald
Payne was a gentleman not because he was elected to
Congress but because he was a good, decent human being. He
welcomed me with open arms as a new guy from Detroit that
very few in the House even knew about.
Less than 2 weeks ago, Donald Payne returned a call that
I had placed to him. We had a short, but gracious,
conversation. I knew after I hung up the phone that I
would see him soon right here in the Halls of Congress,
but that never came to pass. The lesson is clear to all of
us: our time, our life here on Earth is very fleeting.
Let's do everything we can to cherish each moment, not
necessarily to pursue a wild ambition or do a lot of
things, but just to be like Donald Payne, respecting
others, caring for others. That's what he stood for.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I now would like to yield to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank the gentlelady for yielding me
this time. Just a few hours ago, we lost a dear friend, an
esteemed and honored and respected colleague, Congressman
Don Payne of New Jersey.
Don was a proud member of the New Jersey delegation. He
was a faithful servant to his constituents. For more than
two decades, he served them in this body. He was also a
committed member of our Foreign Affairs Committee. He was
chairman and the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on
Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights; and in that
capacity he showed us his unwavering commitment to
fighting diseases worldwide, but especially in Africa. He
shone the light on human rights abuses throughout the
world. Don's tireless efforts provided a voice for the
afflicted and for the oppressed.
We are saddened as an institution, as a body, and as
friends by the loss of such a courageous and loyal and
conscientious public servant. Don will be greatly missed
by our Foreign Affairs Committee because he was such a
tireless advocate for the causes for which he felt such
passion.
He will be missed here on the House floor because he was
ever present whenever there was an important issue to be
debated. He will be missed in his home State of New Jersey
where he was so revered and respected by his constituents
whom he so faithfully served. He will be missed especially
by the thousands and, indeed, countless people whom he
inspired and affected throughout his tenure and long
career in public service.
Without a doubt, Congressman Don Payne's contributions
will be remembered for many years to come, and our
thoughts and prayers are with all of the members of the
Payne family and all of the people who he touched in a
very special way.
I thank the gentlelady for the time; and in our Foreign
Affairs Committee tomorrow, we will hold a special
remembrance for Congressman Don Payne.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.
And now I would like to yield to the gentleman from
American Samoa, Congressman Faleomavaega.

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. I do want to thank the gentlelady from
the Virgin Islands for managing the time for our
colleagues in this Special Order that has been taken to
honor our good friend who has just passed away,
Congressman Don Payne.
Congressman Don Payne was my classmate. We sat next to
each other for the past 23 years as members of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee. We were talking about the
situation in which we were proud Americans, and yet we
knew something was missing here in terms of the activities
of how our foreign policies have come about, in doing
things about our relationship with other countries, so Don
Payne was committed to looking after the needs of what are
our foreign policies toward Africa. My commitment was to
find out what are our foreign policies toward the Asia and
Pacific region.
I want to share this little interesting thought with my
colleagues. When Don Payne and I first became members of
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, hardly any of the
members wanted to be on the Asia and the Pacific or Africa
Subcommittees. The mentality here in Washington was
entirely toward Europe and the Middle East. Being members
of these two subcommittees was almost like the pits. They
were not even on the radar screen, weren't even given any
real sense of priority or interest.
I want to say to my colleagues that it has been truly an
honor to be sitting next to my brother, Don Payne, and to
commit to the idea that as a champion and advocate for the
needs of the poor, the great champion of human rights
throughout the world, not just toward Africa, but all
other regions of the world, Don Payne and I worked on the
plight, the needs of the people of West Papua, New Guinea.
I always have remembered Don Payne's admonition to me
every time we discussed issues about fairness and
equality. He said:

Eni, let me just remind you of what Martin Luther King,
Jr., once said: ``In the end, we will not remember the
words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.''

I think it's so true in terms of what he instituted in
my own heart and mind: you can't just sit back and let
things go by. We've got to be out there being proactive
and expressing ideas that will solve the many issues and
problems that we are faced with, not only in our own
country, but throughout the world.
I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences
to the family of my brother, Congressman Don Payne. I'm
reminded of the saying, ``blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of God.'' This truly was
a peacemaker, whom I've had the honor and privilege of
witnessing his life as an example not only to our
colleagues, but certainly to the American people. Both in
deed and by his conduct, Don Payne was truly a statesman,
and his voice will be surely missed in the years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I am so happy to see that so many of our
colleagues are here to pay special tribute to this great
man, a gentle man, and yet by such great tremendous
example showing us what we should be doing: going about
helping other people. I want to wish him well. We have a
saying in my culture, Ia manuia lau faiga malaga--``May
you have a good voyage.''

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I thank the gentleman from American
Samoa.
I would now like to yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady
from Illinois, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Thank you for this opportunity to speak
about a really good friend of mine, Don Payne. When I
heard that his situation was grave, I gave a call to his
brother, Bill, whom I had gotten to know on trips that he
and Don took, and had the privilege then of speaking with
Don. He was in hospice. This was just a couple of days
ago. I was able to tell him how much I loved him and able
to tell him that I hoped that he found peace and comfort
in the knowledge that he helped so many people in this
world.
Don Payne was a real citizen of the world, a quiet and
dignified gentleman, but he had a fierce commitment to
justice and human rights everywhere. He was really the de
facto ambassador to Africa. No one in this Congress knew
or cared more for the people of Africa. He also personally
knew the leaders, and they knew and respected him. His
knowledge and his relationships will leave a big hole
here. He was the go-to person. If you wanted to know
anything about what was going on, the political situation,
or who was who on the continent, Don Payne was the one to
go to.
As I said, I was able to travel with Don and Bill to
many places around the world and always listened
carefully, as everyone did, when Don spoke with the kind
of knowledge that he had about all things dealing with
foreign relations, about all things dealing with human
rights. So my heart goes out to my good friend, Bill
Payne, to the children and grandchildren and one great-
grandchild of Donald Payne, my beloved friend, whom I'll
miss so much.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congresswoman Schakowsky.
I would now like to yield 2 minutes to another colleague
of Don Payne from New Jersey, Congressman Bill Pascrell.

Mr. PASCRELL. Ladies and gentlemen, the House has lost a
real advocate, a person who respected this institution and
who understood what it was.
So I know I speak for all of us when I say our
condolences to the family and our condolences to his
constituents. He served most distinctly.
Rather than tell you some things I was going to prepare
myself about my relationship with Donald, I got a letter
this afternoon, and I think it's appropriate if I read
this letter on the floor of the House because it tells us
that Donald Payne was not just interested in Africa. His
interests as a humanitarian went beyond that.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has spoken of the deep
sadness at the death of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne. On
behalf of Sinn Fein, and all of those in Ireland who met
Congressman Payne on his many visits there, the Sinn Fein
leader extended his deepest sympathy to Congressman
Payne's children and his family circle and many friends.
This is what Gerry's own words are:

Donald Payne was a champion for the disadvantaged and
the downtrodden in the United States and around the world.
He devoted his life to promoting civil rights, equality,
and democracy.

My friends, just think who is saying this. A man of
valor, a very courageous person, Gerry Adams. This is how
close we are in the tribe of humanity and how many times
we fail to recognize it.

I met Donald many times both in Washington and in
Ireland. He was always very interested in Ireland and had
visited the north before the cessations in the mid-1990s.
Donald was very supportive of the Irish peace process from
the beginning and was a regular participant in briefings
which I and other Sinn Fein visitors gave to political
leaders on Capitol Hill.

Many of us were there, many of us in this room.

He was also a frequent member of congressional
delegations that visited Ireland. Donald will also be
fondly remembered by citizens on Garvaghy Road, in North
Belfast, and the Short Strand, which he visited at a time
when efforts were being made to force controversial Orange
marches through those districts.
His experience as a civil rights campaigner resonated
with his audience in West Belfast when he spoke there
during the West Belfast Feile on the issue of equality and
anti-discrimination legislation.
During a debate in Washington on the McBride principles
he remarked that: ``I and other members of the
Congressional Black Caucus can easily identify with the
Catholic minorities. I recognize many similarities in how
they are treated with how people here were treated.''
Donald was a thoughtful, generous and well-informed
politician who was personally dedicated to improving
conditions for others and who worked diligently on behalf
of his constituents and of his party.
He will be remembered with gratitude and real affection
for his support at difficult and dangerous times in
Ireland--in difficult and dangerous times all over the
world. He will be sadly missed by his constituents, by
people the world over. I want to extend regrets and
deepest sympathy to his family and his friends.
Go ndeanfaidh dia trocaire ar a n'anam dilis--may he
rest in peace, and may all of his friends gather in this
institution that he loved so well.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congressman Pascrell. And
thank you for bringing the sympathies of Sinn Fein to the
floor.
I would now like to yield 2 minutes to a person who
served with Don for quite awhile on the Foreign Affairs
Committee, Chairman Dan Burton of Indiana.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I thank the gentlelady for
yielding.
We judge, as Congressmen, our colleagues based upon
their ability and how hard they work. But the thing I
liked about Don Payne, as a colleague with whom I worked
for 24 years on the Foreign Affairs Committee, was he was
a nice guy. He was really a nice guy. Even when we had our
differences--and there were many when we served on the
Africa Subcommittee together--we would debate, and then we
would walk together down the hall and talk as friends and
still discuss our differences, but we did it in such a
friendly way, and I really liked the guy.
One of the things I think is so important is we really
don't get to know each other too much in this place. We
have 435 of us. People come who are wealthy and some who
are very poor, some who came from bad beginnings and tough
beginnings and some come from the top; and we don't get to
know each other very well. But I knew Don Payne because he
worked so hard for the people he represented in Newark,
and he really fought for them.
He wanted a garage in Newark because of the business
downtown. I remember I fought him on that garage and we
were able to stop it. I think one of the things I'll
regret the day I leave this place is that I stopped that
garage because I think Don Payne, as the kind of guy he
was, really felt like it was needed for Newark. Don, if
you're listening, if I had a chance, I'd vote differently
on that thing.
But anyhow, he was a nice guy. He was a credit to the
Congress of the United States and to everybody who knew
him. I'd like to say to his family that I extend my
deepest sympathies, as the other speakers have said, but
I'd also like to say that to his staff. I know his staff
is going through a difficult time right now as well as his
family, so I want to extend my deepest sympathy to them as
well.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Chairman Burton.
At this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to another
colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Rob Andrews.

Mr. ANDREWS. I thank my friend for yielding.
Sometimes the quietest voices are the ones that have the
greatest impact. Donald Payne always spoke quietly,
humbly; but as we reflect on his life, the impact is
monumental.
Tonight, there are villages in Africa where people have
self-determination, human dignity, education, and health
care because of the impact of his voice and his life.
There are people working in the city of Newark, the
counties of Essex and Union and Hudson because of
businesses he helped to bring and schools he helped to
build and progress he helped to make.
As we heard my friend Bill Pascrell talk about, there
are people in Ireland from very different heritages and
backgrounds that Donald brought here who are celebrating
his life because of the reach of his voice and of his
life.
I think, most important, the impact of his voice is the
hollowness and sorrow that we all feel here in this
institution because the quietness of his voice brought us
together at times of discord and stress. Donald believed
passionately in his progressive ideology, but he believed
with equal passion in tolerance for those who disputed it.
Donald fought fiercely for the causes in which he and I
believed and he and others believed, but he never fought
the rights of others to express differing views. He cared
very personally about his causes, but he never took
personally those who disagreed with him. This is a lesson
that we should learn and abide by in this institution in
years to come because it makes us better people and it
makes our institution stronger.
Later this week, it is a remarkable thing that this
humble young man, a schoolteacher, a leader in the YMCA
who at the beginning of his career lost many more
elections than he won--lost two elections for the county
executive position, lost multiple attempts to become
elected to this House of Representatives, and then
triumphed--someone from those humble beginnings that world
leaders will come to a place of worship in the city of
Newark to commemorate his life.
I think what's more indicative of Donald's contribution
is that as those world leaders come through Newark Airport
into the city that Donald loved, there will be janitors
and schoolteachers and truckdrivers and day care providers
and laborers and electricians and Americans of all walks
of life, who will know and acknowledge the great impact of
this quiet voice.
His voice has sadly been stilled; but let us celebrate
the fact that his impact will live in our world, in our
country, in our institution, and in our hearts forever.
May God bless his family and comfort them at this time of
affliction.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congressman Andrews.
At this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Troy, the gentleman from Georgia,
Congressman John Lewis.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I want to thank the gentlelady for
yielding.
I rise today to honor the memory of our beloved
colleague, the distinguished gentleman from the State of
New Jersey, Donald Payne.
Today we have lost a wonderful and good friend, and the
people of the 10th District of New Jersey have lost a
fearless leader and advocate.
Any American can be elected to public office, but not
everyone can serve with dignity and great respect. Donald
Payne, my friend, my brother, enjoyed the admiration of
his colleagues because he led by example, and through
quiet, determined diplomacy he accomplished a great deal.
A deep sensitivity to the human condition was at the
center of all he did. His work was an extension of the
belief that each of us has a responsibility to serve one
another, and that we must use the power and resources of a
great Nation to relieve the burdens of the poor, the
oppressed, the hungry, and the sick. That is why this
former public school teacher wanted to unlock the power of
education to free those who are struggling in the urban
centers in America. And that is why he was a tireless
advocate for the people of Africa because a heartfelt
compassion guided all that he did.
In a time when the needs of the poor are hardly spoken,
when the cries of the locked out and left behind are
rarely heard, the Chamber will deeply miss a gentle
statesman with a heart that was big enough to serve all
humankind.
The thoughts and prayers of the people of the Fifth
District of Georgia and many Members of this Congress are
with his family, staff, and friends now as they move
through a difficult time. Just know that Donald Payne was
loved, and he will be deeply missed, not only by the
people of the 10th District of New Jersey, but by people
around this Nation and all around the world.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. We are coming close to the end of our
hour. I think our colleague will probably yield us some
time, but I would like to close out this particular hour,
and I ask unanimous consent to extend the hour to allow
the Members who are on the floor to speak.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair cannot entertain a
request to extend a Special Order speech.
Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 5, 2011,
the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) is recognized for
60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield to your next speaker.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. The next speaker would be Congressman
Emanuel Cleaver, the chair of the Congressional Black
Caucus.

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, this is not one of the
highlights of stepping into the well of the House. This is
a moment that does not yield great joy, at least not for
what just happened in terms of the death of my friend and
my colleague, Donald Payne. There is, however, some joy,
and the joy is related to the fact that I had the
opportunity to know Donald Payne, and I believe that my
life was enriched because of it.
During his final days here in Washington, I had a number
of conversations with him at Georgetown Hospital where I
tried, and was successful at least on a couple of
occasions, to get him to laugh, even as he experienced
excruciating pain in his hospital bed.
Donald Payne can be observed by all Members of the
House, and from that observation, we can extract something
that can make this place better. Donald Payne was about as
good and decent a human being as has ever walked the Halls
of this stately House.
At a time when many elected officials believe that
acidic language, acrimony, and red meat discussions are
the order of the day, Donald Payne was firm, soft spoken,
and respectful. No matter what happened, you could count
on Donald Payne being calm through it, except on one
occasion, which I will not talk about on the floor. We'll
talk about it later, but not here.
Donald Payne was a man who was as peaceful in private as
he was in committee or even on the floor. He had a passion
for the diaspora. I joked with him that everywhere I've
ever gone in the diaspora, people asked about him.
Just 1 week before he died, 1 week, I met with a
representative from Brazil who was inviting members of the
Congressional Black Caucus to come to Brazil to meet with
their caucus and they would send members here. Before the
meeting ended, as I knew would happen, he asked about
Donald Payne. I don't believe there is an elected official
or king or prince or potentate in the diaspora who does
not know the name of Donald Payne.
What I hope will happen is one of the Members will pick
up the mantle and delve into the issues and matters of
foreign relations as has Donald Payne. Somebody needs to
step up to the plate and do that.
My final comment is this: I hate cancer. I can't think
of a human being that I hate, but I hate cancer. And in my
hatred of cancer, I have come to the realization that all
of us are temporary, that we are not permanent creatures.
No matter how strong and healthy we feel we are, we are
all temporary. If we understand our temporariness, it
might inspire us to be just a little better, a little
kinder, a little nicer, a little more receptive to others,
because we are temporary, at least in this place.
Now, I conclude by saying that life must end, but death
is not a cul-de-sac. It leads somewhere. If Donald Payne
is not there, that door must be locked and the rest of us
can give up. He was about as good and decent and loving a
human being who's walked these Halls, and I'm glad that
God gave me the chance to know him.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I now would like to yield time to
the minority leader from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Ms. PELOSI. Thank you, Mr. Roe, for yielding. I thank
you and I thank our colleague, Congresswoman Christensen,
for taking this Special Order today so that we can sing
the praises of a great man, our colleague, dear friend,
precious person, Donald Payne.
I waited. I said I wanted to go after Mr. Cleaver
because I didn't know how I was going to even have the
strength to come to the floor because this is a personal
as well as official loss to many of us here. He is always
a source of strength to us, putting in perspective the
fragility of life and the value that we must place on the
contribution of all of our colleagues, especially when we
are blessed with the life, service, and leadership of
someone like Donald Payne. There are very few people that
you can say ``someone like Donald Payne,'' because he was
exceptional and unique.
When the distinguished Mr. Cleaver and Reverend Cleaver
says that we have to fill in and take his mantle, that
would be almost impossible to do because, over a lifetime,
in public service, and a long time in the Congress of the
United States, Donald Payne gained standing on issues that
takes years to do. But he did teach us along the way. He
gave us guidance on what paths to follow, what clues to
recognize, and doing the right thing, whether it was in
the continent of Asia, Africa, or Latin America, wherever
it was, and in our own country.
I had the privilege of traveling with Donald Payne when
we were going to Darfur. He didn't want to go to Sudan.
He'd been there many times, Darfur, but he was at that
moment boycotting the regime in Khartoum because of how
they treated their people there. While we were in Khartoum
and in Darfur, he was in Ethiopia and Somalia and the
rest, always working to have policy advice to all of us
and caring about what the impact of that policy was on
people.
What was interesting to us, though, it was that on that
same trip to Africa, which many of the members of the
Congressional Black Caucus were on, including our
distinguished assistant leader, Mr. Clyburn, when we went
to Liberia it was a boiling hot day. We all went to the
AME college there, the AME university, and they were
honoring Donald Payne for what he knew about Africa, for
his values and how he was concerned about, again, policy
as it related to people, the encyclopedic knowledge that
he had, the great wisdom that sprang from that knowledge,
the plans that he always had to make things better, and
the way people just flocked to him because they would
learn, they would be inspired, and they would love Donald
Payne.
It was boiling hot. And we decided that we're all going
to dress alike that day, so it even got hotter as we
donned our robes. And here we were, seeing--not only
telling them the esteem with which he was held in
Congress, that was the least of it, because what we were
hearing was the people from around Africa held him in
esteem, and they named a library for him at that
university in Liberia.
He was a schoolteacher, and he never forgot how
important it was for us to put our students first. He
called them the bright lights of our Nation's future, for
investing in their potential, for inspiring them to
succeed, igniting the sparks that they had within them to
do their very best.
He was very proud of Newark and serving there. I
remember when he first came here, his work on behalf of
his constituents, his neighbors, the middle class, working
people, people who were striving to reach up into the
middle class. He was always working for them.
He was New Jersey's, as has been mentioned, first
African American Member of Congress. He remained a
committed champion of equality and opportunity for all.
His accomplishments, both on his committee, where he
served with Congressman George Miller, who holds him in
the highest esteem, and now the Foreign Affairs Committee,
where he served with Congressman Howard Berman. Well, we
hear the two of them talk today as if they have lost a
brother, and we all have.
We all have an appreciation of his hard work ethic. The
knowledge that he brought to his subject, the concern he
had for the American people, and the love he had for our
country.
Just think, last week we had a visit from Bill Gates
coming to our office to talk about the issue of global
health, and he asked if Donald Payne could be in the
meeting. We had hoped that would be possible but then had
to say that he was not feeling well that day. That was a
week ago.
Up until the end, he was in demand, recognized for his,
again, standing on issues that related to the alleviation
of poverty, the eradication of disease, again, alleviation
of hunger throughout the world. What more could be about
the Gospel of Matthew than ministering to the needs of
God's creation, which the Bible tells us is an act of
worship. To ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who
made us. Donald Payne was all about worshiping God by
ministering to the needs.
He was an expert on economic, political, and security
situations throughout Africa, and I had the honor of
nominating him, recognizing his extraordinary work around
the world. I was proud to recommend that President George
W. Bush name Congressman Payne our representative of the
House Democrats at the United Nations. Usually it was just
for one term. In the case of Donald Payne, we went well
beyond that in recognition of the extraordinary
contribution that he made.
So again, whether it was in his own district, whether it
was Newark, NJ, or across the world, he was a powerful and
passionate voice. I hope it's a comfort to his children--
to Donald, Jr., to Wanda, and Nicole--and all who loved
Donald Payne, his dear brother, Bill, who traveled with
him frequently and loved him so much, I hope it's a
comfort to them that so many people who knew him well,
loved him so much, mourn their loss and are praying for
them at this sad time.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I again thank Mr. Roe and
Congresswoman Christensen for the opportunity to say just
a few things about our dear friend who will be sadly
missed and long remembered. His legacy lives on in the
Congress of the United States.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I would now like to yield time to
the distinguished gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Steny
Hoyer.

Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
This is a sad day for America. It's a sad day for the
Congress. It's a sad day for our African American brothers
and sisters who have lost a real leader and an
extraordinary friend.
I first met Donald Payne when I was in my mid-twenties.
He was active in the Young Democrats in New Jersey, and I
was active in the Young Democrats in Maryland, and that's
how we first met. Don was about 6 years older than I am.
When you're in your middle twenties, somebody in their
thirties is really old. But we all saw him as a very
serious individual, serious about his activities, serious
about his objectives, serious about the people.
He had an extraordinarily productive career. As the
leader has mentioned and as I know other speakers before
me have mentioned, he was a teacher. He was a teacher in
the tradition of Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass, a
fellow Marylander, said that it is easier to build strong
children than it is to repair broken men. Donald Payne was
focused on that concept as a teacher.
Then throughout his life, he was focused on making sure
that America kept the faith with people around the world;
that its values, that its hopes, its visions for ourselves
were also our hopes and visions for others.
Donald Payne, before he came to the Congress, I think
had traveled to more countries than perhaps any other
Member of Congress. He cared about people, and
particularly people who lived in Africa. I think there was
no Member who knew Africa better than Donald Payne, no
Member who risked more for the welfare of those who lived
on that continent.
My first trip as majority leader was to Sudan and to
Darfur. I made that my first trip because, at that point
in time, it was one of the most troubled--and still
remains--lands in our globe. Donald Payne, unfortunately,
could not go on that trip. He had another thing to do.
But we had a briefing before we went, and Donald Payne
was there. It was clear from those who briefed us that
Donald Payne was obviously the person they looked to for
knowledge and insight into how we could get from where we
were then to the plebiscite, to what is now the
independent South Sudan, and hopefully it will remain so,
notwithstanding the violence of Sudan itself.
Donald Payne was an extraordinarily conscientious Member
of this body, but more than that, he was a man who cared
about his fellow man and fellow woman. Donald Payne was a
serious Member of this body.
That does not mean he was always serious. He had a sense
of humor. He was a wonderful, engaging person, but he was
serious about what he did, and it reflected how deeply he
cared about those whom he served and about his country.
We could all speak for Special Order after Special Order
after Special Order and still not reach the magnitude of
praise and thanks that he deserves. Suffice it to say that
this body was a better place for his service. As Reverend
Cleaver so eloquently intoned, we were better people for
having been his friend and his colleague and his coworker.
I am pleased to join all of you who, like me, knew
Donald Payne as a Member of Congress, yes, but as a human
being, as an individual, as someone who cared about us,
and we cared about him.
I join Leader Pelosi and all of you and our friends on
the other side of the aisle, because Don worked across the
aisle. Don was not an observer of partisan differences,
although he understood they existed. His objective was to
work with all for the betterment of all.
So, I'm pleased to have this opportunity to join all of
you in thanking God that He gave us Don Payne, that He
gave him sufficient years to make an extraordinary mark
here in this country and around the world.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to
yield time to the dean of the Michigan delegation, Mr.
Conyers.

Mr. CONYERS. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I
also thank Donna Christensen for her leadership in
bringing us all together this evening.
This is a wonderful way, when this Record is read of
this Special Order for Donald Payne, for everyone to know
the depth of the love and respect that we all had for this
great and gentle human being.
He was a committed public servant and a true champion
for social and economic justice at home and around the
world. He had a global perspective that helped teach us
that all of the 6.4 billion people on Earth are connected
and related. So when I was asked to campaign for his first
run for Congress that I knew about, which was in 1988, I
was pleased to do so. I traveled to Newark and joined with
him in that victory. I remember being struck by his deep
desire to help people, and I had no idea that he would
grow and develop into this leader whom we mourn and praise
here today.
Through his work as a member of the House Education and
the Workforce Committee and of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, he led the fight to address inequities in every
realm of existence. He was a great proponent for peace. I
must say that I am convinced that he had the spirit and
the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that he
lived and demonstrated every single day of his life. He is
the one Member of whom I can say I never saw angry, I
never saw upset. When I was able to take him away from his
African commitments, I took him to Haiti, where he
immediately understood the depth of the suffering and the
tragedy that required us to go back again and again.
So, Donald Payne, what has been said of you today is
only a small token of the contributions that you have made
during your life. You will be missed by your colleagues.
You will be mourned by your family. You will be treasured
by many people in many places on this globe.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I will now take the opportunity to
yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson
Lee).

Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I want to thank my
distinguished friend for your kindness and generosity in
yielding the time and to the Speaker. I want to thank Dr.
Christensen for starting us on this journey, and I want to
thank the Speaker for being educated by these powerful
words of my colleagues.
I do want to say that, if you had to give a tribute
biblically to Donald Payne, you would certainly quote from
Timothy in saying, ``I fought the good fight.'' I am
grateful to also say that Donald Payne had a lot of fun in
life. Some of us can trace our friendship to years past,
to decades past; but I know that, as the world loves
Donald Payne, he loved Newark and New Jersey.
I had the good pleasure of joining him and his friends
during the last Congressional Black Caucus. We had a
variety of receptions to meet our constituents, and there
was nothing but love in that room. I had, I would call it,
the humble privilege to visit him at Georgetown Hospital,
where his brother and sister were in the room as well as
his chief of staff LaVerne Alexander, and to have him
smile as some of our colleagues have said. In the course
of being in the room, I heard that the former President of
South Africa, President Mbeki, was trying to reach him.
There would be a long list of Presidents and former
Presidents and others of great renown trying to reach him;
but you cannot in any way doubt the fact that in his
acceptance and acknowledgment by all of those iconic
figures, President Mandela as well, that he as a
progressive stood along with the family members he loved,
whether it was his son, who was a council member, and his
other children, or Bill Payne, and epitomized the
struggles of a generation of African Americans in Newark
and New Jersey in the 1950s and 1960s, and he was on the
front lines of fighting for equal rights out of the North
Ward.
Oh, leave it only to Donald Payne to talk about New
Jersey politics, and he loved it. He had an iconic
presence, but he also had a leadership, boss-man
presence--and I say that lovingly--because if you needed
something in that area, as my good friends, Brothers
Pallone and Pascrell out of that area, knew, no matter who
you were in his district who needed something, you could
get a hold of Don Payne. He loved the richness of his
district and its diversity, but you can be sure that he
was fighting for the poor and dispossessed.
Maybe that's what brought him to his affinity and
kinship for Africa. One of my predecessors, Mickey Leland,
whom Don Payne knew, we always said died on the side of an
Ethiopian mountain while trying to feed those who could
not feed themselves.
Don Payne was everywhere, from Ethiopia, to Sudan, to
South Africa, to Angola, to the Congo, to Ghana, to
Liberia. He was in all of those, if you will, conflicts
where he wanted to bring about peace. He counseled
Presidents--Republicans and Democrats. I remember Bill
Clinton's historic trip, and you can be assured that
Donald Payne was at the nexus of drawing him to making
that historic trip. I believe, in 1998, he counseled
George Bush and others, and he counseled President Obama.
I don't know if many of you know that Donald Payne was a
longshoreman who worked in many different places; but when
reminded of his work as a longshoreman, he said that he
loved the port. I heard a Member talk about that, I
believe, but he loved the working person.
Let me just conclude, as I salute him for being the
progressive who did not forget the poor as well as being
one who could speak eloquently with the leaders of
international positions around the world, albeit that he
was teacher and coach and Newark Municipal Council member
and Board of Chosen freeholder, that I remember traveling
to Africa on several occasions. In this instance, what I
would say, beyond having known that in Somalia he was
almost, in essence, taken down, is that many of you will
remember the first Kabila, the father of the present
President of the Congo, and you will know that that area
has always been in conflict and that Donald Payne never
shunned going into conflict.
One place we went was Angola, when it was still in
conflict. Donald Payne said, ``Well, I know we can meet
the President in his castle and office and the place where
he is, but I'm going up in the bush, and if you all are
with me, we're getting on this little one-propeller
plane.'' Not two propellers--it only had one. Congressman
Payne continued, ``and we're going to go up there and meet
with the opponent of the President.''
We sat with Donald Payne, encouraging this opponent to
put down his guns and come and meet with this President,
who through Donald Payne had promised peace. I know that
man wished that he had answered the call that Donald Payne
made. He never left the bush, and he died in that place. I
got to see him up close and personal, where no risk of
life was too much for him to bring about peace.
As I conclude, let me simply say to the peacemaker, to
the intended noble peacemaker, to the man who didn't shun
or didn't shy away from a conflict that might have taken
his life, to the lover of Newark, to the lover of his
family and his children, to the lover of his staff, to the
lover of this institution: Don, may you rest in peace.
Warrior, leader, hero, God knows that you never stopped
working, and you deserve that angel's place in Heaven.
[Ms. Jackson Lee's prepared statement follows.]
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute of the life and
service of my dear friend and colleague, Congressman
Payne. Noted for his quiet gravitas, progressive issues
advocacy, and pioneering life story, Congressman Payne
along with his older brother Bill Payne defined the
struggles of a generation of Newark Blacks who in the
1950s and 1960s fought for equal rights out of the North
Ward.
By the dawn of the 1970s, the Paynes relocated to the
south of Newark, where they built a political base on
Bergen Street that served as the launch pad for Mr.
Payne's historic campaigns for Congress in the 1980s.
Donald Payne was a champion of the poor and dispossessed
not only in Newark but in Africa, notably the Sudan, where
he took one of this country's most forceful stands against
the genocide he witnessed there. Congressman Payne was
once arrested in Washington, DC, for protesting against
the Sudanese Government.
As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Payne became
a leading advocate for international human rights. ``I
would be remiss if I did not thank those who are
personally responsible for making sure that I know about
Africa,'' said then-President Bill Clinton.
After a 2009 trip to Africa, the Congressman prepared to
depart from Mogadishu when his plane sustained small arms
gunfire from the ground, according to CNN. The Congressman
had earlier that same day discussed the crisis of piracy
off the failed state's coast.
Donald Payne grew up in a section of the North Ward
known as Doodletown and worked on the docks in his young
manhood. ``I love this place,'' he told longshoremen at a
2008 campaign stop at Port Newark. ``I worked down here
from 1952 to 1956, on Doremus Avenue, where they used to
have about one ship a week, believe me. But we're so glad
to see this port come to where it is today.''
At the beginning of their careers, he and his older
brother worked in tandem as they sought greater African
American representation within the Newark Democratic
Party, with Bill Payne very early gaining a reputation as
the aggressive activist and Donald Payne showing skills as
a diplomat. Never an obvious self-promoter, Donald Payne
as a public person embodied old school qualities of
humility and toughness. He seldom sought out a microphone
but commanded attention naturally by being a presence in
the room.
In the aftermath of the Newark riots, the Payne brothers
became the strongest South Ward political brand in the
city, using the Bergen Street business district as their
most visible base of operations. The Congressman scorned
conventional polling, preferring instead to gauge his own
popularity by the number of beeps on the horn he heard as
he walked along his beloved Bergen Street.
He was a former leader of the Congressional Black
Caucus. Donald Payne served as a Newark city councilman
and as an Essex freeholder. Congressman Payne was someone
who knew Presidents and Kings but was more comfortable
with the man in the street, that's just who he was.
America has lost a noble statesman, New Jersey has lost
a brilliant and caring Representative and I have lost a
remarkable friend and distinguished colleague. A skilled
and compassionate politician, Donald Payne represented his
constituents well. An ardent supporter of educational
opportunity, he worked to ensure college was within reach
for everyone.
Donald worked tirelessly for small business and had a
focused passion for Africa. Because of his knowledge and
dedication to the issues of human rights and peace--he
saved lives all over Africa. He enjoyed the respect of his
colleagues; his calm demeanor will be missed. Donald
dedicated his life to helping the less fortunate and
expanding and protecting human rights everywhere in a
strong and determined way. He will be sorely missed by all
who knew him. My thoughts and prayers go out to family,
friends, and constituents at this sorrowful time. The
world has suffered a great loss.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the
gentleman from Texas.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, first let me say that I join
my colleagues in recognizing not only the life and work of
Don Payne, but I also wanted to add my words of support
for what Don meant to me personally as a cochairman of the
Caribbean Caucus a number of years ago.
Speaker Hastert asked both Don and me to become engaged
in issues that would be considered in our hemisphere as a
result of the war on terror. The Speaker recognized that
the Caribbean was a gateway not only for terrorism, but
also a number of other issues. Don and I accepted that
role, had a number of trips down to the Caribbean, and
also met with Caribbean leaders here in Washington, DC.
Don was always upbeat, Don was always looking for
answers and responses to the needs of our friends in the
Caribbean, and really found a way to cut some good
friendships with people to where they became better
friends of the U.S. Congress and the United States because
of his personal involvement in issues and matters.
I enjoyed working with Don. He accepted not only his
role and mine, us working together--I as a younger Member,
he as a senior Member. He welcomed my ideas and thoughts.
It was difficult for me also as I was walking into the
Capitol a few minutes ago to see the beautiful flag that
flies outside the U.S. Capitol at half-staff in honor of
our colleague Don Payne.
So I do want to thank this body for allowing me a chance
to express not only my thoughts about Don, but also to
recognize him as an outstanding Member of this body.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. May I inquire, Mr. Speaker, how
much time we have remaining?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has 26 minutes
remaining.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. We have 11 speakers, so I would
ask if you would limit your remarks. I want to have an
opportunity for everyone who wants to speak to speak.
Now I would yield time to my colleague and one of Don's
very dear colleagues from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. PALLONE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
I have a lot of Don Payne stories. I wanted to tell one
that I think says a lot about the man.
I listened to what Sheila Jackson Lee said before about
how he was always humorous and telling jokes, but also
about New Jersey politics and how he was so well respected
and had the ability to basically tell other Members or
indicate to other Members what they should do.
I also listened to Hansen Clarke when he mentioned Don
being a gentleman. Don was a gentleman, and people
respected him as such in the city of Newark and throughout
his district.
There was an occasion after the redistricting when I
gained an area--I won't mention the name necessarily--in
my new district that was mostly African American, and Don
Payne was very well known there, and I wasn't known at
all.
I actually lived at the Jersey shore. Some of you may
know that the people that are down at the Jersey shore,
the people from North Jersey and Newark often refer to us
with names like ``clam digger'' and other things to
indicate that we're not as sophisticated as the people
from Essex County.
I was at a meeting with African American ministers in
this new area of my district. And of course the purpose of
Don being there was to tell them it was okay; in other
words, it was okay that this guy from the shore, the clam
digger, so to speak, was now going to represent you
because he was okay.
As you know, Don couldn't take an occasion like that
without making it into a joke and still getting the point
across, but in a very humorous way. So he said to the
African American ministers as we assembled:

Well, you know, this guy Frank Pallone is now coming up
here and he is going to represent you. But he is down at
the shore, and most of the time he spends his time talking
about crabs and fish and the things at the shore. You
know, I don't know if he can relate to this urban area now
that he is going to represent where you all know me, but
I'm going to tell you a story. You'll often see
Congressman Pallone in pictures at the shore picking up
the crabs, and he picks up the crabs and he talks about
how the crab had been injured, and it was important to
help the crab, and the crab needed some help and needed to
be fixed, needed some health care so it can become a whole
crab again and lead a good life.

Of course everybody was laughing at this point, figuring
out what this is all about. It was his way of getting
across in a humorous way that it was okay to have Frank
Pallone represent you, that he was going to relate to you.
He could relate to a crab, so he could obviously relate to
you.
I don't know if I'm saying this properly, but this is
how Don was. He was just able to use humor to get a point
across, a very serious point in a very effective way.
I will miss him so much because he made me laugh so many
times when situations were serious, and there didn't seem
to be much humor, but he always did it in a way that made
me understand how important it was to be here as a Member
of Congress. He really understood how important our jobs
were and how they could make a difference in people's
lives.
Thank you.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Now I would like to yield to a
gentleman also from New Jersey, one of Mr. Payne's very
close colleagues, Mr. Rothman.

Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey. I thank the gentleman for the
time.
Madam Speaker, today Newark, the State of New Jersey,
and the United States of America lost a hero, and the
world lost, especially those that needed help, those who
were being persecuted, they lost a champion.
Don Payne's family, they've lost their patriarch, the
strong, gentle, warm, beautiful, handsome hero who held
them together all these many years.
Like so many others, but in a very special way, I lost,
we lost a dear friend. I loved Donald Payne. I know he
loved me. We spent many times together as dear friends,
buddies, laughing and joking, but also many great times
speaking about the very serious issues confronting our
State, his district, my district, the country, and the
world.
Donald Payne led an extraordinary life. A young, African
American man from very humble beginnings did not have it
easy growing up in America and didn't have it easy
acquiring political power that enabled him to help
everyone, whether it was in Newark or Essex County or New
Jersey, the United States, or in the world.
History will record that this young man from Newark,
Donald Payne, literally saved tens of thousands of lives--
he did--all over the world--in America, in Africa, and in
Northern Ireland. He was known throughout the world as a
champion of the downtrodden, those in need, and a champion
of human rights.
He was a longshoreman; he was a teacher; he was a
waiter. He was an elected official from New Jersey who
made us all so proud, but he was a citizen of the world.
He was a leader in this world.
He leaves behind a legacy, not only as a beloved
husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother,
family man, but also as a dear, loving friend. Beneath
that strong, serious statesman's demeanor was a warm,
charming, funny, irreverent, smart, and great friend. I
will miss him very much.
God bless you, Don Payne, my friend. God bless you,
Congressman Donald Payne, you iconic figure for America
and the world. We will miss you dearly, but we will never
forget you.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I now yield to the
distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Mr. RUSH. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, in the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, these
words are recorded:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every
purpose, and to everything under the sun, a time to be
mourned and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to
pluck up that which is planted.

Madam Speaker, today a giant oak tree has fallen.
There's a gaping hole in the forest. Don Payne has moved
from an earthly life into an eternal heavenly life. A
time, a purpose, a season.
Don Payne did not take his time, his season, nor his
purpose for granted. Every moment, every season, the
purpose for which he was created meant something to him
and he gave his life. He spent his life working on his
time, his season, and his purpose.
Last Thursday, Don, through his chief of staff, asked me
to come to the hospital; and we talked for awhile and he
whispered some words to me, some directions for me, some
orders from his hospital bed. But what stands out to me on
that occasion last Thursday was his last words spoken to
me. We were in the middle of votes, and he said: ``Make
those votes. Don't miss those votes.''
Here, a man who knew he was spending his last hours on
this Earth, he knew that his life was coming to an end. He
had told me some weeks before that he had colon cancer and
he didn't know what was going to happen, but his last
words to me were not ``Woe is me,'' but he was thinking
about public service. He was thinking about this House. He
was thinking about me and the vote that I was to cast. He
was thinking about a time and a purpose and a season.
In the Book of Micah, life really becomes quite simple.
God asked the Prophet Micah: ``What do I require of thee,
O man, but to love mercy and do justice and walk humbly
before your God.''
Madam Speaker, I know that Don passed God's requirement.
He lived his life with purpose. He was a son of Africa,
but he was also a servant of Africa and a servant of the
world.
We're all going to miss Don. We all looked to Don being
a beacon in terms of public service. I will miss him, and
my condolences go out to his entire family and his entire
staff.
I might add that just this morning my staff and I went
to his office, as others have. We sang a song together,
``Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross.''
Don not only had the cross in mind, but now he sits in
his heavenly home in a better place.
God bless you, Don. God bless you.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I now would like to yield to the
distinguished gentlelady from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. LEE of California. I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Madam Speaker, it is with a very heavy heart that I rise
tonight to honor and commemorate the life of a world
leader, but more important, a grandfather, a great-
grandfather, a father, a brother, an uncle, a boss, a
dedicated family member to so many. I offer my condolences
and prayers to Don's family, to his staff. They need our
comfort during these very difficult days.
Don was more than a colleague to many of us, myself
included. He was a very good friend. We lived near each
other in Washington, DC, here, and I had the privilege to
drive him home quite often. These were special moments for
me which I will always cherish; for it was during these
rides that he counseled me. He cracked so many jokes to
cheer me up because he always knew what we were going
through, and we talked about family, friends, and what was
really real in our lives.
Don loved children, and he relished his membership on
the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Of course,
before coming to Congress, he was the national president
of the YMCA and an elementary school teacher. But, yes,
Don was also a global leader. I have traveled abroad with
Don, and he was greeted as a head of state and a comrade.
Don didn't especially like traveling with large
congressional delegations. He liked going by himself and
with his brother to the middle of conflicts, sometimes in
the bush and in the jungles, to meet with guerrilla
leaders and freedom fighters. He helped negotiate truces;
and all sides, everywhere in the world, loved and
respected him.
Now, for many years, Don was the lone voice in the
wilderness calling for a declaration of genocide in
Darfur, Sudan. Finally, we all got it. As a result of
Don's persistence working with both sides of the aisle to
address the atrocities of genocide, his bill passed, this
declaration of condemnation of genocide, with bipartisan
support.
I was honored to serve on Congressman Payne's
subcommittee for many years, the Subcommittee on Africa.
He was a brilliant and fair chairman, and he helped me
shepherd and negotiate many bills and many of my
legislative efforts.
Yes, I was blessed to have visited Don on Thursday
afternoon. He smiled, we talked, he whispered a few words,
and he gave me a thumbs up.
I met Don Payne through the mail in 1998 when my
predecessor, who I know sends his condolences today,
Congressman Ron Dellums, told him I was running for
Congress. He sent me a wonderful note then--I didn't even
know him--and a contribution. And when I was elected, he
came up to me; he hugged me and he became my mentor on so
many issues.
In closing, let me just say that I know--and we talked a
lot about this, and I've been to church with him--that Don
Payne was a humble man of tremendous faith. In thinking of
Don this evening, I'm reminded of a Scripture taken from 2
Timothy 4:6-8. It says:

As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed;
the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my
best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have
kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the
victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day--and not
only to me, but to all those who wait with love for Him to
appear.

May Don's soul rest in peace.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I would now like to yield to the
distinguished gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay).

Mr. CLAY. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Madam Speaker, the untimely passing of my good friend
and colleague, Congressman Donald Payne, early this
morning is a terrible loss for Donald's family and
friends, the House of Representatives, the people of the
10th Congressional District of New Jersey, and our Nation.
Donald Payne was a tireless advocate for his
constituents at the local and municipal level before
winning election to the House more than two decades ago.
As New Jersey's first and--until his death--only African
American Member of Congress, he was the voice of working
families from all backgrounds who called the 10th District
their home.
I am privileged to have known and worked with Donald
Payne. I will always be grateful to him for the warm way
he welcomed me into this House and into the Congressional
Black Caucus. I know that my father, who worked with
Donald for more than 10 years, joins me in extending our
family's sympathies to Donald's family, friends,
colleagues, and constituents. As the people of Newark and
across the State of New Jersey mourn the loss of their
friend, Donald Payne, the people of St. Louis, all of
Missouri, and all across our country mourn with them.
His leadership, friendship, and passion for his work
will be missed.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I now would like to yield to the
distinguished gentleman from New Orleans, LA (Mr.
Richmond).

Mr. RICHMOND. Thank you for yielding, and thank you,
Madam Speaker, for the time.
It was once said that a politician worries about the
next election, but a statesman worries about the next
generation. Don Payne was a statesman.
To the Payne family, I offer my sincere condolences and
prayers. Thank you for sharing your brother and your
father with us. While I do not have as many personal
memories as my colleagues of serving with Congressman
Payne, I stand here as a beneficiary of his work over his
77 years. I can honestly say but not for Donald Payne, I
probably wouldn't be here.
I, along with others of my generation and the
generations after me, not only in America but all across
the world, stand on the shoulders of Congressman Payne. So
I have the honor and the pleasure of serving with him, but
I also have the obligation on behalf of those generations
to say thank you to Congressman Payne for making this
world a better place for us.
If we can remember anything with his passing, we can
rest assured that Donald Payne did what he was purposed to
accomplish in his lifetime. So I can say right now without
a doubt that Donald Payne earned the right to say exactly
what Paul said to Timothy, and that is, ``I have fought
the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept
the faith.''
So, Madam Speaker, this body, this country, and the
entire world lost a true gentleman in Donald Payne, and we
lost a quintessential statesman.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I would yield now
to my colleague and friend from Memphis, a fellow
Tennessean, Mr. Cohen.

Mr. COHEN. Thank you, Mr. Roe. I appreciate the time.
Everything has been said justly about Congressman Payne,
and by such wonderful gentlemen and gentleladies who pay
tribute to the man. I had the opportunity to meet him
early in my entry into the Congress, and he made me feel
at home from day one. He was, indeed, a gentleman, quiet
but with a marvelous record for peace and for justice for
the downtrodden people who needed a helping hand.
I had the opportunity through the auspices of CARE and
the Gates Foundation to travel with Congressman Payne, his
brother, and others to Rwanda, to Goma, and to Congo this
past August; and I saw how he was beloved among people in
Africa where he had traveled on many occasions before. We
shared the experience of going to the memorial to the
victims of the genocide there, and Congressman Payne told
me some stories about when he'd been there with President
Clinton, and President Clinton had gone back and expressed
his regrets of not having done more earlier to prevent the
genocide, but was strong in supporting the Nation of
Rwanda and the people getting their country back together.
Donald Payne had a progressive record. He was respected
and loved by all. I was fortunate that my life intersected
with his for he made me feel at home. As so many other
members of the Congressional Black Caucus have done, he
made it known that it wasn't necessary to be a member of
the Congressional Black Caucus to be with the
Congressional Black Caucus. I value my time with him.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield back the
balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Buerkle). Under the
Speaker's announced policy of January 5, 2011, the Chair
now recognizes the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee)
for 30 minutes.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I'd like to yield
now to the gentleman from South Carolina, our assistant
leader, Congressman Jim Clyburn.

Mr. CLYBURN. I thank the gentlelady for yielding me the
time.
Madam Speaker, I often quote the poet Robert Frost, who
once admonished us that two roads diverged in the wood,
and I picked the one less traveled by, and that has made
all the difference. I would not quarrel with Mr. Frost,
but I would believe that it's the people that you meet as
you travel the roads of life that really make the
difference with all of us.
Several years before I came to this body I met Donald
Payne. I was a bit in awe of him because he struck out to
attain a seat here, and in that race, right after I met
him, things did not go as he had hoped--as many of us had
hoped. But Don did not lose faith. He gathered himself,
and he tried again. And of course, upon his success, all
of us know what a successful Congressman he made.
I traveled with Don often. We went to Africa together.
Traveling with him on the continent of Africa, going in
and out of country after country, sitting with him as he
called heads of state by their names, and seeing the
respect that all of them had for him was just a joy to
behold.
I learned a lot from Donald Payne. I always, whenever I
could, wanted to be around him. Just this past December,
in my congressional district, Donald came to Charleston to
help me participate in a congressional panel, talking
about sustaining good, healthy communities. Don, that
particular day, was sort of the star, as he usually was. I
had no idea at that time that we would be in this place
today.
I think I can say without any threat of contradiction
that if anybody has left his or her mark of service in
this body, it was Donald Payne. His record will never, in
my estimation, be equaled. To know two continents as well
as he did is something few people in this body will ever
get to attain.
I want to join with my colleagues in wishing his
family--his brother, Bill, who I got to know so well; his
son, Donald, Jr.; and other family members--as much
sympathy as I can muster. I hope that they will achieve
real solace in the fact that their brother, their dad,
their uncle gave so much and demanded so little in return.

Ms. LEE of California. I would now like to yield to the
gentleman from Illinois, Representative Danny Davis.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I thank the lady for yielding.
We've heard a great deal about Representative Payne this
evening. Some of the fondest memories that I have of
Donald was talking. He was a philosopher and a poet. All
of the things that people have said that he did, he has
done. The last conversation we had was sort of a
philosophical conversation. I believe that Tennyson framed
Donald Payne long before he was born, and he wrote this
poem that said:

Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

Donald crossed, but he left a great deal behind.

Ms. LEE of California. I would now like to yield to the
gentlewoman from New York, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. I thank my colleague, Barbara
Lee.
Madam Speaker, today I am here to pay tribute to a
quintessential public servant, a person who tirelessly
fought on behalf of his constituents of the 10th
Congressional District of New Jersey, and for all
Americans of all backgrounds across this Nation. Today I
pay tribute and celebrate the life of our beloved
colleague, Congressman Donald Payne.
Donald made history as the first African American in New
Jersey to be elected to Congress. He served as the former
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and was recent
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation,
where I really saw him go to work on behalf of the people
across this Nation.
Along with many others, I consider Representative Payne
not just an accomplished colleague, but a role model and a
dear friend. He was a relentless and iconic advocate for
the continent of Africa, the African diaspora, as well as
the Caribbean region. He spoke out boldly against genocide
in Darfur and Rwanda, and fought alongside the
Congressional Black Caucus to help Haiti recover from the
devastating earthquake that struck the nation in 2010.
Congressman Payne was a representative of Newark, but
his leadership was global. We are grateful for his world
view. We will never forget his passion, zeal, and
commitment to improve U.S. diplomatic relations around the
world.
I count myself fortunate to have established a real bond
with Congressman Payne. He shared with me his quick wit,
and we shared a lot of laughs together. We often joked
about who was tougher, Newark or Brooklyn. He was also
very skilled on the dance floor. I had an opportunity to
travel with Mr. Payne.
I extend my condolences to his son, Councilman Donald
Payne, Jr.; to his very devoted brother; his daughters
Nicole and Wanda; his grandchildren; great-grandchild; his
close friends; his devoted staff; and the people of the
10th Congressional District of New Jersey.
Know that he has left us a great legacy, building
blocks, if you will, for future generations of leaders. We
will continue to celebrate the contributions of this great
statesman. The stars in the heavens will twinkle just a
bit brighter as Congressman Donald Payne makes his
transition to be with our Creator in heaven.
Thank you, Congressman, for all your commitment and
sacrifice for the betterment of our global community.

Ms. LEE of California. I would now like to yield to the
gentleman from North Carolina, Congressman Price.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, it was with
great sadness that I learned of the passing of my good
friend and colleague, Donald Payne. Few Members who've
served in this institution have left a greater impression
on their constituents, their colleagues, and their
country's domestic and foreign policy than Don Payne.
From the moment Don set foot in Congress, he was a
powerful advocate for the needs and interests of his
central New Jersey community and of working Americans
across our country. Bringing to bear his impressive and
diverse record as a public school teacher, president of
the National Council of YMCAs, and an elected official in
Newark, Don quickly became one of the most forceful and
effective advocates for public education in the Congress,
playing a key role as a member of the Education and Labor
Committee on virtually every major educational reform
enacted over the last two decades. As the first African
American elected to Congress from New Jersey, Don was an
equally forceful advocate for the continued struggle for
civil rights, eventually becoming chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus.
Now, these accomplishments in education and civil rights
would qualify as a successful career for any Member, but
Don didn't stop there. Driven by his early fascination
with Africa and his adventuresome travels there, Don
recognized that the struggle for civil rights and human
dignity knew no borders, rising to become one of the most
effective chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Africa and
Global Health Subcommittee that we have ever had in this
institution.
Our Nation's expanded focus on AIDS, malaria, and other
pandemic diseases over the past decade would simply not
have occurred without Don's visionary leadership and moral
courage. It was fitting that USAID announced the launch of
a Donald Payne Fellowship Program last week, designed to
help young people enter careers in international service.
I was fortunate to benefit from Don's knowledge and
advocacy personally as he became a founding member of the
bipartisan House Democracy Partnership, which I cochair
with my California colleague, Representative David Dreier.
Don's counsel and guidance and encouragement were
invaluable as the House Democracy Partnership initiated
partnerships with legislatures in Africa and conducted
outreach in countries affected by the Arab Spring. Our
frequent travels together in the region forged a deep and
lasting friendship. He probably knew more about the ins
and outs of African politics than all the other Members of
this institution combined. He had strong and well-informed
views about what our country's policies should be, and he
was ready to articulate those views persuasively, no
matter who the President was or which party was in charge.
He also insisted on investigating situations on the
ground for himself, which led to quite a few one-man
codels and some anxious moments for those who wanted to
prepackage congressional visits or maintain airtight
security. It was fascinating to talk to him about his
diplomatic forays, which offered a combination of high
adventure and a remarkable, inspiring dedication to the
freedom and dignity of the people of Africa.
Congress has lost a true statesman, a dedicated
humanitarian, and a loyal public servant. We mourn his
passing, and we will miss Don Payne's counsel and
friendship.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I would like to
yield now to the gentlelady from Florida, Congresswoman
Brown.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Often I say, ``God is good,'' and
the audience says, ``All the time.'' But God has been good
for giving us the life of Donald Payne.
You know, when you're born, you get a birth certificate,
and when you die, you get a death certificate, and that
dash in between is what you have done to make this world a
better place, and Don Payne has done his work.
When I think of what Paul said, ``You have fought a good
fight,'' and he has. And you've finished the course, but
there is still work for us to do.
We talk about Donald Payne, and all of his work in
Africa, and I don't know anyone that knew the continent or
the people more than Donald Payne.
I want to mention that my first trip as a Member of
Congress was with Congressman Payne, and we went to
Ireland and we went to other countries. He was an
international leader.
I want to thank his family and the constituents that
sent him here. You know that you sent someone here that
loved. He loved the Lord, but more than that, he was what
we want our public servants to be: someone that actually
believes in serving the public.
So Donald's work speaks for itself, and we are so
grateful that we've had the opportunity to serve with him.
[Ms. Brown's prepared statement follows.]
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and staff.
And in fact, I participate in a weekly prayer call, and I
have asked all of the parishioners and participants to
pray for him and his family, and all of the constituents
who cared about him in the State of New Jersey.
Beyond a doubt, our Nation will mourn the loss of such a
dedicated Member of Congress, who lived his life as a true
symbol of an ideal public servant.
I feel privileged to have been able to work with
Congressman Payne on a number of issues throughout the
years. For me personally, within the Congressional Black
Caucus, and for the Congress, he was a leader on all
issues relating to the continent of Africa. He knew all of
the leaders, and knew extraordinarily well the various
countries' histories and domestic politics, and worked
tirelessly throughout his tenure to resolve numerous deep-
seated conflicts on the continent, while leading many
congressional delegations to war-torn areas. Indeed,
Congressman Payne always spoke out on behalf of people who
struggled in many of the most difficult nations around the
world: from Rwanda to Sudan and Haiti, to the peace
process in Northern Ireland.
Congressman Payne will be deeply missed here in
Washington. I will always remember his soft-spoken manner,
will power, drive, intelligence, and energy. As the first
African American to serve in the House of Representatives
from the State of New Jersey, I am certain that he will
serve as an inspiration for others to follow in his
footsteps.

Ms. LEE of California. I would now like to yield to the
gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, Congresswoman Donna
Christensen.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congresswoman Lee. And
thank you, everyone who's come out to pay tribute to
Donald Payne this evening; and thank you, Father Conroy,
for being here with us.
I recently had the opportunity to introduce Donald at an
annual gala of the Mountainside Marketing Group, where he
was being honored with the 2011 Congressional Minority
Business Award, and it was really an honor to do that.
I talked then about his commitment to Africa and how I
always told Donald I would never travel with him. You see,
he was as comfortable, as you've heard, meeting rebels in
the jungle as he was meeting Presidents and chiefs. State
Department warnings meant nothing to him. You heard about
his plane being shot at in Mogadishu, and he also did some
jail time here at home for protests on behalf of the
justice here and abroad.
Because of the high respect in which he was held by
everyone on all sides, he was able to bring peace to
warring factions, to broker truces, and to ease the
pathway to democracy for many. His legacy as a peacemaker
was not limited to Africa. He's considered an honorary son
of Ireland for his contributions there.
I talked that evening about his commitment to children.
As a teacher, he used his senior position on Education and
Labor to ensure that educational opportunities are
available for all children, but especially poor and
minority children. He worked hard to close the achievement
gap, and was also a key player in legislation to reduce
interest rates on college loans and to increase Pell
grants.
I was able to tell those gathered how working families
had no stronger supporter of labor and worker protections
than Donald Payne.
Last year the Health Braintrust and all of our partners
honored Donald with the Congressional Leadership Award.
I had the honor also of traveling to Newark every other
year to the Donald Payne health summits and health fairs.
He was just as determined that the people in his district
have access to quality health care as he was committed to
their education and economic opportunity. It was always an
event that was looked forward to and attended by thousands
who were then connected to the health care system, some
for the very first time.
But his commitment to health extended beyond his
district to our entire country, to Africa and the
Caribbean. He made sure that global health was added to
the responsibility of the Subcommittee on Africa, which he
chaired.
He led the effort to increase PEPFAR funding more than
threefold. When President Bush signaled his willingness to
go from $15 billion to $30 billion over 5 years, Donald
took that as an opening to push for even more and, with
Barbara Lee and others, parlayed that to $48 billion. He
also led in ensuring that, for the first time, all the
countries in the Caribbean would be included.
So it's no surprise that condolences are pouring in from
all over the world, and I want to submit one from Dr.
Claire Nelson on behalf of the Institute of Caribbean
Studies.
There were only a few of us that knew that Donald was
diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment. He was
truly amazing. I thought he was even more feisty after his
diagnosis than before. He would add his humorous
commentary even more often at our meetings. He teased many
of us mercilessly.
He led the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation with
boundless energy which, of course, all of us on the board
and the staff had to try to keep up with.
His most recent boat ride, of which he takes pictures
with everyone who comes, was lots of fun as always; and he
thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, as all of us did.
His work in this body, of course, never faltered, and I
think he would have been a more formidable adversary or
advocate, as the case might have been.
But above all, Donald was a dear friend.
In the end, he succumbed to the cancer, but up until the
very last, he lived his life to the fullest. The people of
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and he visited us several times,
my family and staff join me in extending our heartfelt
sympathy to his family: his children Donald, Jr., Wanda,
and Nicole; his four grandchildren and his great-
grandchild; his brother Bill, and sister Kathryn; LaVerne
Alexander, and all of his staff, past and present, here
and in the district; and the people of the 10th District
of New Jersey.
Donald was not only a respected member of the
Congressional Black Caucus, which he chaired. He was loved
by all of us. We will miss him terribly, but we will
remember him with such great affection and consider
ourselves blessed to have known him, to have served with
him, and to have him call us his friend.
So long, Donald. Rest in peace. Until we meet again.

March 6, 2012
Dear Friends:
``Every once in a while a GIANT walks the earth.''
Over the past several years, I was privileged to have
worked with Congressman Payne who was tireless in his
support for the Caribbean, as well as Africa. I remember
well the first time I moderated a task force at the CBC
Annual Legislative Caucus, that he was cochair of. He was
so gracious, with my anxiety about following the
appropriate protocol. As chair of the Bipartisan Caribbean
Caucus, he led the way for us to have our voice heard and
helped us to understand how we as Caribbean Americans may
better impact the Congress he loved and served so well.
On behalf of the Caribbean American community, ICS will
offer condolences to his family and friends as the
arrangements become known to us, by way of our advisors
who were his personal friends.
In the meantime, I offer my prayers of thanksgiving for
his life and legacy and my prayers of comfort to those he
loved best. May he rest in peace.
Dr. Claire Nelson,
President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies.

Ms. LEE of California. I would like to yield now to the
gentleman from Indiana, Congressman Andre Carson.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, from my first days
in Congress, I always considered Donald Payne to be a
mentor and a friend. He took me and others under his wing
and showed us what it truly means to be a Member of
Congress, not just a politician. He showed me, like he
showed so many of us in this Chamber, how much more we
accomplish through humility and cooperation than through
bravado and partisanship.
He was brilliant, and he put thought into every word he
said; and because of that, Madam Speaker, his words
carried weight on both sides of the aisle and in both
Chambers.
Most recently, I was privileged to serve under his
leadership on the board of the Congressional Black Caucus,
and I was able to see up close how he brought together the
diverse personalities and opinions of the caucus in order
to achieve a greater purpose.
Congressman Payne made our caucus strong and united; and
while we attempt to fill the gap he leaves behind, I know
we will never have another leader like Donald Payne.
Madam Speaker, learning to serve in the House is truly
an honor, but it also comes with many challenges. As a
young Member, I am continuing to grow and find my place
among my distinguished colleagues; but I feel just a
little more confident because I had a role model in Donald
Payne.
As long as I am given the privilege to serve in this
great House, I look forward to carrying that legacy, the
one that he started--to fight for the underprivileged, to
bring attention to the critical issues that don't make the
front page, Madam Speaker.
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and
staff, and they know like I do how great a Member and how
great a man he was.
I'm reminded of a passage of a conversation that Jesus
had with his disciples in the Book of Matthew, and they
were dealing with this notion of leadership; and Jesus
said very succinctly and very clearly and very wisely, and
prophetically to them: ``He who wishes to be chief among
you shall first be your servant.''
Let us remember and honor Donald Payne, a true public
servant.

Ms. LEE of California. I would like to yield to the
gentleman from Oregon, Congressman Blumenauer.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Today we mourn the loss of a colleague
and friend. Newark lost its champion. Africa lost its
informal ambassador, as Donald Payne exercised tremendous
leadership and influence as a senior member and chair of
the Subcommittee on Africa.
With the passing of Donald Payne, I think it's important
to note one other loss, because for millions of people
around the world who never knew Don Payne, they lost a
hero. Don knew that almost 1 billion of the world's
poorest people lacked access to clean drinking water, that
almost 3 times that number lacked access to sanitation
resulting in the death every 15 seconds of a child
needlessly to waterborne disease.
One of the great privileges of my career in the House
was working with Don Payne on the Paul Simon Water for the
Poor Act. Don Payne was a quiet Member of Congress, but he
knew what was important. He was clear in expressing those
needs, expressing what needed to be done; and his
leadership, his work behind the scenes, as well as on the
front lines, made it possible for the first time in our
history for the United States to have a cohesive policy
toward meeting the unmet needs of water and sanitation for
these poor people, to set a very clear objective that
within the next 4 years we would cut in half the number of
people who lack access to this fundamental.
Because of the leadership of Congressman Donald Payne,
literally millions of lives have been touched, improved,
indeed, saved.
We thank you, Congressman Payne, for your leadership and
influence that extended far beyond your district in New
Jersey, and we thank his family and constituents for
sharing him with us and sending him back repeatedly so
that he could do his important work.

Ms. LEE of California. I would now like to yield to the
gentleman from Georgia, Congressman Scott.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Thank you very much, Ms.
Lee.
This is indeed a very sad and, at the same time, a very
precious time because we're here to talk about a life.
A life is so precious. Donald Payne was indeed a very
special human being. I served with Donald Payne on the
Foreign Affairs Committee; and through his work on the
Foreign Affairs Committee, I got to know him.
Let me just say to the people of New Jersey, to his
family, you've lost a friend, you've lost a husband, a
father, a public servant for the Newark area of New
Jersey.
I want you to know that Donald Payne's life and his
legacy go far beyond there.
There was a friend of mine who said, ``I don't want to
hang around the shores with the little boats. I want to go
way out where the big ships go.'' Donald Payne went way
out where the big ships go. Nowhere was his impact more
meaningful than in the continent of Africa. It was Africa
that just pulled his heart, pulled his whole being. Donald
Payne became the champion and the foremost advocate for
the people of Africa in the Congress of the United States.
What courage.
I remember the time I was over in Africa going to the
Congo, going to the real heart of the matter, going into
Kenya, and going into Somalia and into Yemen. There was
Donald Payne with the courage at a very difficult time, at
a challenging time when al-Shabab was in control of the
situation in Somalia. You hear on the news that there is a
Congressman who's in harm's way trying to get on an
airplane to get out of Somalia at a very hot moment. He
was there in the toughest, meanest, most difficult part of
Africa bringing some reason.
So all over this world, we can all say that we thank God
for sending Donald Payne our way.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, how much time do I
have remaining?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has
expired.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, may we request an
additional 10 minutes?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair cannot entertain that
request.

Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I am here this evening to
thank God for the life of Donald Payne--to thank God for a
man who was focused, for a man who was a trailblazer, for
a man who when he came to Congress knew what he wanted to
do. People sometimes do not know what their purposes are
in life. Sometimes folks get here, and they wander all of
their lives to find that purpose. Donald Payne knew what
his purpose was. He fought and was determined to get to
this House of Representatives so that he could make a
difference in so many lives.
Once he came here, he never changed his focus, and he
never changed his purpose. He knew that he wanted to deal
on the international scale. He knew he wanted to take care
of the people of Newark, and he knew he was focused on
education. So when he had the opportunity to go on the
powerful Appropriations Committee, he was so focused on
what his mission was that he said ``no'' to Appropriations
and stayed on Foreign Affairs and stayed on Education
because that is what he wanted to do.
He paved the way for someone like me so that, when I
came to Congress, I looked to him. It wasn't popular to be
on Foreign Affairs when Donald came. Donald did what he
knew his purpose was.
So I want to just say, thank you, Donald Payne. Thank
you for your work and for your mission and for paving the
way for someone like me so that I now don't have to have a
machete to cut away the grass. You've done it for us.
Thank you, staff. Thank you, family.
Thank You, God, for sending us Donald Payne. I can see
You now just saying to him, ``Well done. Job well done, my
good and faithful son.''

Ms. McCOLLUM. Someone was saying today that you remember
your first and your last time.
The first time I met Donald Payne was in my first term
on the Education and the Workforce Committee. We were
talking about the inequities in college funding for
minorities, and they were talking about the Hispanic
higher education institutions and about Historical Black
Colleges.
I spoke up, and I said, ``What about the tribal
colleges?''
Mr. Payne said, ``We will never forget the tribal
colleges again when we list off all of our colleges that
serve our minority youth.''
And he never did, so I thank him for that.
The last time--and it's fitting that Congresswoman
Woolsey is on the floor with me--was at the State of the
Union Address. Usually, Donald sat on this side. Lynn and
I had the privilege of keeping him warm that night. So,
with that, here are my remarks.
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives and the
American people lost a statesman and a dedicated leader
committed to human rights, quality education and social
justice at home and around the world. It was my honor to
serve with Donald Payne on the Africa Subcommittee, as
well as on the Education and the Workforce Committee. I
will always remember Donald as a friend and as a
gentleman, a kind soul who spoke with authority and who
legislated on behalf of those who were often too
voiceless.
My deepest condolences to Donald's family, to his staff,
to his New Jersey constituents, and to people all over the
world.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, all the world is a
stage, and all the men and women merely players. Each has
his entrance and his exit. One man in this time may play
many parts. So it is with Donald Payne.
He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a
grandfather, a great-grandfather, a teacher, a coach, a
mentor, a leader. He led the CBC. He led the Congressional
Black Caucus Foundation, and he was a friend. He was an
extraordinary legislator. He represented the people of
Newark, NJ, very well.
One thing that I learned about Donald from personal
conversations was that he was truly a family man, that he
loved his family. He spoke with love about the sacrifices
that he made upon the untimely death of his wife, about
how he had young children. He determined that he was going
to take care of those children himself, not farm them out
to other family members. So he sacrificed--he did the
PTAs; he did the hair; he did all of the things so that
his children would have a good life. It seems that
Donald's early life was difficult, and he was determined
that his children would not have the difficulties that he
had.
Donald was a great man. We have lost him. The family has
lost a great man. We feel your pain; but the joy we share
because we knew him will sustain us. We were blessed to
know, love, be a part, and to share the life, as you did,
with this great man. He was a friend. We will miss him as
you will.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, I am deeply saddened by the
loss of my dear friend and esteemed colleague, Don Payne.
I was privileged to serve with Don for more than two
decades. I always had enormous respect for his passion,
dedication, and encyclopedic knowledge of a range of
foreign policy issues, particularly the 54 nations of
Africa. He was one of the founding members of the House
Democracy Partnership, a commission that benefited
tremendously from his expertise and commitment.
In November, Don and I had the opportunity to travel
together throughout Eastern and Central Europe to
commemorate the post-Soviet transition to democracy of
several nations. He endured with good spirits a number of
speeches honoring Ronald Reagan, never failing to remind
me that John F. Kennedy was the world's leading champion
of democracy long before Reagan's Presidency. We continued
on to Egypt, where Don and I served as international
witnesses in the first round of parliamentary elections.
His enthusiasm and energy never flagged as he spent 2 long
days traveling from poll to poll in Egypt's first true
election in 7,000 years.
As Don always exemplified, our endeavor to protect human
rights, promote the rule of law, create economic
prosperity and eradicate violent extremism through the
building of democratic institutions is a thoroughly
bipartisan one. He will be greatly missed by all who were
privileged to know him.

Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sadness
to pay tribute to and honor the life of Representative
Donald Payne, an esteemed colleague and devoted public
servant.
Committed to social and economic justice, Representative
Donald Payne spent his life helping the most vulnerable in
America and abroad.
During my tenure in Congress, I had the pleasure of
serving with Congressman Donald Payne on the Education and
the Workforce Committee. As a former public school
teacher, Congressman Payne understood the needs of
students, parents, teachers, and educators and the value
of a good education.
As a senior member of the Education and Workforce
Committee, Representative Payne worked tirelessly to
expand educational opportunity for disadvantaged children
and youth, and to ensure that all children had access to a
quality education.
Congressman Donald Payne was a true champion for
American workers and the middle class, always fighting to
ensure that workers had safe working conditions and
family-sustaining wages. In the area of Foreign Affairs,
Congressman Payne was known around the globe for his
outstanding leadership in promoting peace and democracy in
Africa.
Representative Donald Payne will be greatly missed in
this Chamber. My thoughts and prayers go out to his
family, his staff, and the people of New Jersey.

Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I extend my deepest
sympathy to the family of Congressman Donald Payne, who
served New Jersey with distinction and honor for more than
two decades. His leadership was welcomed and respected at
home and in the Congress. His passion for civil rights and
stewardship of the Congressional Black Caucus will always
be remembered. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Payne
family and the residents of the 10th District who lost a
champion of their interests.

Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, on March 6, 2012, Congressman
Donald Payne of New Jersey passed away due to
complications from colon cancer. Today, along with my
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I pay
tribute to the memory of Congressman Payne. While today
marks the end of his work on Earth, the results of his
labor will live on for many years to come.
In 1988, Donald Payne became New Jersey's first African
American to be elected to the U.S. Congress. As a public
school teacher, the first African American president of
the National YMCA, and most recently as a Member of
Congress for over two decades, Donald was a tireless
advocate for children, working families, and senior
citizens. He was a leader and a role model, who dedicated
his life to, among other things, closing the achievement
gap, providing equitable funding for public schools, and
making health care more affordable. In the 112th Congress,
he was a senior member of the House Committee on Education
and the Workforce. He was a key player in the passage of
the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which cuts
interest rates on Stafford loans in half, increases Pell
grants and provides loan forgiveness to public service
employees with student loan debt. Donald was also a senior
member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, most
recently serving as the highest ranked Democrat on the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
Donald will always be remembered as a champion for human
rights and a strong advocate for humanitarian aid for
developing countries, especially African countries. Beyond
his work in Africa, he traveled throughout the world
serving as a voice on issues impacting the social
conditions of the global community. He was a former
chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and, most
recently, served as chairman of the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation, Inc. The absence of his passion,
leadership, and compassion will not go unnoticed. He will
be greatly missed.
I was blessed to count Donald as a colleague, and as a
dear friend and mentor. I will always treasure his support
and guidance during the past few years. My heartfelt
prayers are with his family, staff, and constituents. May
the thoughts and prayers of many give solace to his family
and friends during this trying time.

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I cannot fully express my
sadness over the death of my dearest friend and
Congressional Black Caucus colleague Congressman Donald
Payne. Today his constituents in New Jersey's 10th
Congressional District, our colleague in Congress, people
across America and around the globe mourn the loss of a
great man, leader, and humanitarian. Donald was a champion
of the lesser among us. He saw wrong and fought tirelessly
to make it right.
Donald sought to give every child a quality education
and a fair chance at success no matter where they came
from. For over 23 years in Congress, as former chairman of
the Congressional Black Caucus, and member of the House
Committee on Education, he advocated for low-income
students across our Nation. Moreover, as a member of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Donald worked passionately
to restore democracy and human rights in Africa and
throughout the world. Donald and I shared a vision in
giving Americans from all walks of life the opportunity to
serve and represent our Nation abroad. His most recent
accomplishment before he passed was the creation of
USAID's Donald Payne Development Fellowship Program.
Thanks to Donald's efforts young Americans will have the
opportunity to continue Donald's legacy of promoting peace
and compassion to the rest of world.
I will deeply miss my brother, Donald Payne, whose
kindness and commitment to humanity will forever be
remembered. My deepest condolences go out to his family
and loved ones.

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I come to the
House floor today to pay tribute to our beloved colleague,
dear friend, and one of our Nation's preeminent
humanitarian icons--the late Congressman Donald Payne.
I first met Congressman Payne nearly two decades ago and
I will always remember him as a kind, welcoming, and
intellectually gifted individual.
In serving in this distinguished body with Congressman
Payne over the past few decades, I had the pleasure of
seeing him excel in multiple roles and often under
challenging circumstances.
As a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus
and more recently chairman of the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation, I observed first hand his relentless
and passionate advocacy on improving the standards of
living for disadvantaged and disenfranchised communities
of color all around the world.
Anyone who knew Donald Payne well, knows that one of his
biggest priorities was doing all he could to improve the
educational standing of our Nation's students and young
scholars. As a former teacher, he understood better than
most in this body, the insurmountable tasks that our
educators have in simultaneously instructing and mentoring
our future leaders.
He used his senior position on the U.S. House of
Representatives Education and the Workforce Committee to
aggressively advocate on behalf of America's children. He
remained engaged in exploring ways that we could close our
Nation's educational achievement gap; provide equitable
funding for public schools; and make college more
affordable.
As the ranking member of the House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and
Human Rights, he worked extensively to protect human
rights and provide vital humanitarian assistance to
developing countries throughout the African continent.
Madam Speaker, today the world has lost an uplifting and
inspiring public figure and a remarkable human being.
Those of us who were fortunate and blessed to have known
and worked with Donald Payne have lost a nurturing mentor
and widely admired colleague.
Congressman Payne once said, ``There is a lot of dignity
in being able to achieve things without having to create
rapture.'' This quote speaks not only to the symbolism of
Donald's civil nature but to the substance of his lifelong
mission of accomplishing good deeds through consensus
rather than conflict.
Madam Speaker, I would ask that all my colleagues take
time out of their schedules today to pay tribute to Donald
Payne for all that he did and all the good things that his
legacy will continue to inspire us to do.

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember
Congressman Donald Payne.
Today, we lost a dear colleague and friend in the House
of Representatives, and the American people lost a
dedicated leader. I am honored to have served with
Congressman Payne, and am deeply saddened by his passing.
Donald spent his life fighting for those less fortunate,
and was a committed advocate for education, civil rights,
and social justice--both at home and abroad. He was a
humanitarian in the truest sense of the word, and his
passion was both inspiring and contagious. As the first,
and only, African American from New Jersey elected to
Congress, Donald was a trailblazer. His achievements are a
testament to the hard work, patience, and determination
that became the hallmark of Donald Payne's career in
public service.
As a senior member of the Education and Workforce
Committee, Donald was a steady and effective
representative for working men and women across America.
His efforts on their behalf led to tangible gains in the
areas of worker health and safety. Donald also lent his
voice in support of early education, working tirelessly to
ensure that every American child receives a first-class
education, regardless of financial circumstance.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Donald won
the admiration and respect of his colleagues for his
extensive and unrivaled knowledge of international
affairs, especially concerning Africa. His humanitarian
efforts to secure international aid for populations
ravaged by war and disease are a tribute to his compassion
and unwavering resolve to improve the lives of the
downtrodden. Madam Speaker, Donald's legacy and long list
of accomplishments will continue to provide a lasting
example for my colleagues and me going forward. My sincere
condolences go out to Donald's family, friends, staff, and
constituents. He will be missed in this House.

Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my
colleagues to join me in recognizing the passing of our
dear colleague, Congressman Donald Payne and honoring his
lifetime commitment to service and humanitarian causes.
Don Payne and I were classmates in Congress. I was first
elected in a special election in August 1988 and Don was
first elected in 1988 and took office with the 101st
Congress in 1989.
A lifelong resident of Newark, NJ, Don Payne was an
educator, insurance executive, and president of the
National Council of YMCAs, an organization with which he
was involved until his passing. His passion for community
service took him to elected positions on the Newark City
Council and as an Essex County freeholder before being
elected as the first African American to represent New
Jersey in the U.S. Congress.
As a Member of Congress, Don continued to be a tireless
advocate for his constituents in New Jersey but he also
built a reputation as a champion of human rights on an
international scale. As a leader of the Subcommittee on
Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, Don traveled
extensively to bring aid and fight for oppressed people
across the globe. Don was very involved in efforts to
combat political oppression, ethnic violence, the spread
of AIDS and starvation in Africa but he also worked for
relief efforts in Haiti and was very supportive of peace
negotiations in Northern Ireland.
This past Tuesday, March 6, Don Payne lost his battle
with cancer; the people of Newark and the world lost a
dedicated public servant; and I lost a dear friend and
colleague. He will be truly missed.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an
expression of appreciation for the life and service of
Congressman Don Payne and to keep him and his family in
our thoughts and prayers.

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 12 terms, Congressman Payne 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.
Born in Newark, NJ, 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 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. I extend my
deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, Donald Payne
was a man of few words, but his actions spoke loudly and
boldly for those who could not speak for themselves. He
dedicated his life to helping the less fortunate, and to
expanding and protecting human rights for all, both in the
United States and abroad.
He served 12 distinguished terms in the U.S. House of
Representatives, and was the first African American
Congressman from New Jersey. He served as chairman of the
Congressional Black Caucus, as well as chairman of the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
His work on behalf of Darfur; his involvement in the fight
against HIV and AIDS; and his extensive travels to places
like Rwanda, Somalia, and Haiti demonstrated the depth of
his passion for social justice, and served as an example
for all who seek to make the world a better place.
On a personal level, I will never forget him traveling
to Connecticut for the launching of the Freedom Amistad
Schooner in 2000. Donald was also instrumental in
commemorating the 200th anniversary of the abolition of
the transatlantic slave trade, and ensured the success of
the Amistad's anniversary trip. He himself traveled to
Sierra Leone and back to honor the 53 slaves that were
held aboard that fateful ship. He followed the Amistad's
journey very closely, and it was through his tireless
efforts that the Congressional Black Caucus succeeded in
bringing the Amistad to Washington, DC.
Last year I was also fortunate to host Donald and a
delegation from the Congressional Black Caucus in Hartford
to celebrate the 200th anniversary of author Harriet
Beecher Stowe--the woman who wrote the book that started a
great war. Given Donald's commitment to social justice,
and his respect for history, I knew it would be a
meaningful and symbolic occasion. His attendance meant so
much to me, and I was grateful for the chance to show him
my district.
It was an honor to serve with Representative Payne, and
he will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of
knowing him.

Mr. RUNYAN. Madam Speaker, on March 6, the State of New
Jersey, and more specifically Newark and its surrounding
communities, lost a dedicated public servant, Congressman
Donald Payne.
Congressman Payne truly lived a life of service, first
as an educator in the Newark and Passaic Public School
Districts, an Essex County freeholder, a member of the
Newark Municipal Service, and finally, as the first
African American Congressman from the State of New Jersey.
Representative Payne's public service record was also
dedicated to helping people through his volunteer work.
His involvement with the Newark YMCA and Boy's and Girl's
Club, showed his passion for helping children.
In Congress, Representative Payne played an instrumental
role as an advocate in the treatment of AIDS and drug-
resistant tuberculosis. His actions in Congress were
always based on how he could best serve his constituents.
Congressman Payne served as a role model for not only his
district, but the entire State of New Jersey.
His love of service was only outdone by the love he had
for his family, from his late wife, to his children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Congressman Payne
will be missed.

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 on the Education and the Workforce
Committee, and I saw first hand 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.
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
Stephen Hayes, 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 Congressmen
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.

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now
adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 6 o'clock and
48 minutes p.m.), under its previous order and pursuant to
House Resolution 571, the House adjourned until tomorrow,
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, at 10 a.m., for morning-hour
debate, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the
late Honorable Donald M. Payne.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Mr. McGOVERN. . . . No one can come to the House floor
today and speak about Sudan and protecting the people of
Sudan from their murderous government without paying
tribute to our dear colleague, Donald Payne.
Congressman Payne passed away yesterday from cancer. He
would have been an original cosponsor of the bill I'm
introducing today. No one fought harder for human rights
in Sudan. He was among the very first to call attention to
the genocide taking place in Darfur. He traveled there,
often alone, with just one or two aides, to talk to
refugees inside Darfur and in camps along the border and
to stand witness to their suffering. He was tireless in
his commitment to the people of Africa and their well-
being.
We all looked to him for leadership, for advice, and for
help. He extended this same commitment to the people of
African descent in our own hemisphere. I personally know
how much he did to promote the rights of Afro-Colombians
and to protect their leaders and communities. We will miss
him and we will miss his leadership.
Mr. Speaker, he believed that human rights ought to
matter. And he believed, as we all should believe, that if
the United States of America stands for anything, it ought
to stand out loud and foursquare for human rights.

Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, today marks exactly 125 months
to the day that we've been at war with Afghanistan. That's
125 months that we have been sending brave young men and
women to be maimed and killed in a conflict that is not
advancing our values but actually degrading them.
I've never believed more fervently that this war is a
national security disaster, as well as a national tragedy
and a moral catastrophe.
What we need, Mr. Speaker, is a greater commitment to
peace and security. What we need is a more generous
humanitarian spirit. What we need is diplomacy and
international dialog, cooperation, and conflict
resolution. What we need is to cherish human life and
human dignity here in the United States and on every
corner of the globe.
Yesterday, we lost one of this body's fierce champions
for these values, our colleague, Donald Payne. He was a
peacemaker, a man of conscience, an ambassador of decency
and compassion. He would not tolerate genocide and
despair. He didn't turn a blind eye to human suffering,
and he didn't care if it was happening in Newark or
Nigeria. He went to some of the most dangerous places on
Earth to make lives and conditions better. He was a voice
for the otherwise voiceless. He used his power to advocate
for people who were otherwise powerless.
In the mid-1990s, I observed Representative Payne at a
hearing with the Bush State Department. He was arguing, he
was pleading with the State Department to designate the
Darfur genocide. He actually had tears in his eyes and
tears in his voice, and this is a man known for being very
mild mannered.
His compelling arguments and his compassion and passion
actually made it possible to convince the world to condemn
the Sudan/Darfur Government's role in planning and
executing the militia's campaign to kill. His leadership
had an indelible impact on African nations.
Congressman Payne shared my belief that the wars we've
been fighting for the last decade are dreadful mistakes.
He was one of those who stood with us in 2005, when the
war in Iraq was still popular, to say no, this is wrong,
we have to bring our troops home. But he also understood
that it wasn't just about ending war, Mr. Speaker. It was
about also leaving something else behind: hope,
opportunity, democracy, and human rights.
He knew that the key to ending violence, terrorism, and
instability was to build up human capital, to fight hunger
and disease, to defend and advance women's rights, to
build strong schools, and provide decent health care
worldwide.
We've lost Donald Payne. But in his honor, let's not
lose sight of the ideals he made his life's work. Let's
not lose sight of the goals he fought for so tenaciously.
Because of Donald Payne's example, I will fight forever
for peace and for stability worldwide, and believe me, the
beginning of this effort will be to bring our troops home
from Afghanistan.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of
the life and contributions of our colleague and friend,
Donald Payne.
Don will always be remembered for his commitment to his
community, which he served with distinction as a local
elected official; to his country, evident by 23 years of
service in Congress in which he championed education and
fair labor practices; and to the global community, where
he was a champion for global health, especially malaria
prevention and treatment.
Don was a joy to travel with. He combined gentleness
with strength, stood with and for the underserved and
underrepresented, and always spoke of his commitment. As
he did, he had this warmhearted smile, even his eyes
smiled, as he gave voice to the voiceless.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Don Payne's family,
with his staff, and the people of the 10th District of New
Jersey, and for all of us as we keep his legacy alive.
Don, you will be missed.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the National
Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc., I submit a
statement of condolence on the passing of my dear
colleague, Donald M. Payne.
National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc.
NBLCA Mourns the Passing of Rep. Donald M. Payne
In reaction to the death of Rep. Donald M. Payne,
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, C. Virginia Fields, President and
CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS,
Inc, issued the following statement of condolence:
The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc.
(NBLCA) expresses its profound sorrow at the death of Rep.
Donald M. Payne. For over two decades, Rep. Payne served
his constituents in New Jersey's 10th Congressional
District and the Nation with courage and distinction. He
was a longtime supporter of the NBLCA and dedicated his 12
terms in the U.S. House of Representatives to fighting
social injustice and advocating for the health and well-
being of all Americans and other fellow citizens of the
world. His support in the House was instrumental in the
full implementation of the Minority AIDS Initiative and
other legislation addressing disease prevention and health
promotion. Rep. Payne was especially passionate about
ending HIV/AIDS and human rights violations in Africa
during his distinguished service on the House Foreign
Affairs Committee where he chaired the Subcommittee on
Africa.
Mr. Payne will be sorely missed by all who had the
pleasure and honor to work alongside him in the fight
against HIV/AIDS and health disparities based on race and
ethnicity. On behalf of the NBLCA's Board of Directors and
staff, I convey heartfelt condolences to Rep. Payne's
family, constituents, and colleagues in the 112th Congress
of the United States. In Mr. Payne's memory, we rededicate
ourselves to enhancing our advocacy to protect the health,
human rights, and civil liberties of all Americans. May
God grant him peace.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am submitting the attached
statement by World Food Program USA regarding the passing
of our good friend and colleague, Congressman Payne.
Statement from Rick Leach, President and CEO, World Food
Program USA
The entire staff and board of directors of World Food
Program USA mourn the passing of Representative Donald
Payne of New Jersey. Representative Payne was a tireless
champion on behalf of the world's poorest, hungriest
people, and his presence and efforts within the U.S.
Congress will be missed.
As chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa,
Representative Payne played a key role in pushing forward
U.S. policies to respond to the protracted crisis in the
Darfur region of Sudan, as well as across the African
continent. He was one of five Members of Congress to
accompany President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton on
a tour of six African nations, and he headed a
Presidential mission aimed at finding solutions to the
political and humanitarian crisis in Rwanda. Due to his
record of outstanding service, Representative Payne was
chosen by President George W. Bush to serve for two terms
as a congressional delegate to the United Nations from
2003 to 2007.
Representative Payne traveled many times to countries in
the worst throes of humanitarian crises, lending his voice
and wielding his influence to help those people most in
need. His many years of steadfast support, dedication, and
hard work have improved the lives of millions of people in
Africa, the United States, and across the globe. He will
be remembered for all that he has contributed to the
rights, well-being, dignity, and spirit of people across
the world. He was a true humanitarian hero.
Monday, April 16, 2012
APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE TO ATTEND FUNERAL
OF THE LATE HONORABLE DONALD M. PAYNE
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hurt). Pursuant to House
Resolution 571, and the order of the House of March 6,
2012, the Speaker on March 14, 2012, appointed the
following Members of the House to the committee to attend
the funeral of the late Honorable Donald M. Payne:
The gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Smith
The gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Clyburn
The members of the New Jersey delegation:
Mr. Pallone
Mr. Andrews
Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. LoBiondo
Mr. Pascrell
Mr. Rothman
Mr. Holt
Mr. Garrett
Mr. Sires
Mr. Lance
Mr. Runyan
Other Members in attendance:
Ms. Kaptur
Mr. Levin
Mr. Towns
Ms. Waters
Ms. Brown (FL)
Mr. Rush
Mr. Scott (VA)
Mr. Watt
Ms. Woolsey
Ms. Jackson Lee (TX)
Mr. Jackson (IL)
Mr. Clay
Mr. Butterfield
Mr. Cleaver
Mr. Al Green (TX)
Ms. Moore
Ms. Clarke (NY)
Mr. Johnson (GA)
Ms. Edwards
Ms. Fudge
Ms. Bass (CA)
Ms. Sewell
Ms. Norton
Mrs. Christensen
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the
late Honorable Donald M. Payne, so that we may commemorate
his extraordinary life of dedication and commitment to
service.
Born in 1934 in Newark, NJ, he graduated from Seton Hall
University and pursued postgraduate studies at Springfield
College. A former English and social studies teacher, he
also coached football at Malcolm X Shabazz High School,
which was then called South Side High School. He was vice
president of Urban Data Systems Inc., as well as an
executive at Prudential Financial. In 1970, he became the
first African American president of the National Council
of YMCAs.
Representative Payne entered public life in 1972 when he
was elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen
Freeholders. Ten years later he was elected to the Newark
Municipal Council where he served three terms. In 1988,
Donald became the Representative of New Jersey's 10th
Congressional District, and the first African American to
represent New Jersey in Congress. As chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus, he was a relentless defender
and supporter of education-related issues. He was an
inspiration and a friend.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Johnson, and
is succeeded by son Donald Jr., daughters Wanda and
Nicole, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in sending
our condolences to the family and friends of Donald M.
Payne who so faithfully cared for and served his
community.

Proceedings in the Senate
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to
a longtime friend from New Jersey. It is a sad day for all
of us from New Jersey who knew Congressman Donald Payne
from North New Jersey, and I pay tribute to my colleague
who died this morning after a battle with colon cancer.
Congressman Payne was the first African American from
New Jersey to be elected to Congress. He was a trailblazer
and a fine leader, one of the finest our State has ever
known. For more than two decades, Congressman Payne served
New Jersey with distinction, but the whole world benefited
from his leadership. He was a proud son of Newark and
became an expert on foreign relations and led efforts to
restore democracy and human rights around the world,
including places as far away from one another as Northern
Ireland and Sudan. President Clinton chose Congressman
Payne to accompany him on his historic tour of Africa in
1998.
The Congressman also worked hard. He secured more than
$100 million to treat victims of malaria, tuberculosis,
HIV, and AIDS, and stopped the spread of these diseases in
Africa's poorest nations.
Three years ago, against the State Department's advice,
Congressman Payne went to Somalia to see the turmoil there
for himself, narrowly escaping with his life when
insurgents launched a mortar attack near his airplane when
he was leaving.
The Congressman also helped with passage of a resolution
declaring the killings in Darfur as genocide and raising
global awareness of these travesties.
At home Congressman Payne was a tireless advocate for
his constituents. He brought significant economic
development to counties in New Jersey, including Essex,
Hudson, and Union. He was a former schoolteacher and was a
leader on education. He worked hard to close the
achievement gap, with making college more affordable and
bringing more equity to school funding. Congressman Donald
Payne was a man of conscience and conviction.
I knew him for many years, and I was always struck by
his soft-spoken demeanor, and that kind of made him a
rarity in politics. Congressman Payne knew he didn't need
to raise his voice; his ideas were powerful enough. The
Congressman put it best when he said: ``There is a lot of
dignity in being able to achieve things without having to
create rapture.''
As I mentioned, Donald Payne was a teacher in the Newark
public schools, and Newark was a poverty-stricken city.
His mission was to inspire young people to use education
in their lives to achieve opportunity. The people of New
Jersey sent him to Washington for the first time in 1988,
and they continued sending him back by overwhelming
margins for the next 22 years. He became an inspiration to
many, including members of his family who followed him
into careers in public service.
Most of all, Donald Payne was an inspiration to the
people he served. He gave them hope. He gave them some
ideas of what they could make of their lives. His voice
sounded important and deliberate enough to convince people
to try harder, and he did succeed many times.
In 1988, during his first campaign for the House,
Congressman Payne told a reporter: ``I want to be a role
model for the kids I talk to on the street corners.'' He
used to see a lot of them. He worked hard within his
congressional district. He said: ``I want to see there are
no barriers to achievement.''
Donald Payne achieved this goal. An entire generation of
New Jerseyans has come of age knowing and respecting
Congressman Donald Payne. He has undoubtedly inspired many
young New Jerseyans to enter public service, and I expect
we will one day see some of them walking the Halls of
Congress and following in Donald Payne's footsteps, but
today these Halls feel emptier without his presence.
I am going to miss Don Payne. We will mourn his absence
from our lives, but we will also take comfort in the
knowledge that his legacy will endure for a long time to
come, way beyond his life. We thank him at this time for
all of the good he did and that he brought to our people
and our State.
With that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I rise to mourn the
passing of a great man, a great leader, a proud New
Jerseyan, and my friend, Congressman Donald Payne. I am
saddened beyond words by his death. Personally, I have
lost a close friend and the people of New Jersey have lost
a tireless voice, a true advocate who spent a lifetime
fighting for fairness, for justice, and for the little
guy.
Wherever there was injustice, intolerance, or suffering,
wherever someone was downtrodden by the more powerful and
didn't have a fair chance, Donald Payne was there
intervening. From his earliest days in Congress, he
focused on New Jersey, but his influence was profoundly
felt around the world. As a senior member of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs and the ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights,
Donald Payne followed his passion to restore democracy and
human rights in places where the suffering was greatest.
If we asked him what his greatest accomplishment was--
and there were many--he would tell us it was working on
global health issues, cofounding the Malaria Caucus that
he launched with First Lady Laura Bush, securing $50
million to fight drug-resistant tuberculosis, and $50
billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria that
literally--and I have heard these stories--literally saved
whole villages in Sub-Saharan Africa, because that is the
kind of man he was.
He built a reputation as chairman of the Africa, Global
Health, and Human Rights Subcommittee for his integrated
approach to Africa, combining health, development,
economic growth, and improvements for a better quality of
life. He once said:

Malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS are diseases that
are caused, as well, by poverty, and until we really start
dealing with poverty elimination, we are going to continue
to have these diseases that follow poverty. We cannot be
serious about development [assistance or engagement]
without effectively dealing with these three major
diseases.

He did everything he could to live up to those words.
He could not ignore the fact, as he pointed out, that:

. . . more than 29 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa
live with HIV/AIDS . . . that malaria and HIV together
kill more than 4 million people each year . . . that 90
percent of them are in Africa . . . that, for millions
around the world--particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa,
where the global malaria burden is heaviest--the disease
is a daily reality, an enduring epidemic that kills
millions and impedes the progress of entire nations. . . .

He believed in putting an end to the scourge of these
diseases and helped broaden our focus in dealing with
poverty, disease, and development as a single issue and
always said, ``These are global problems that warrant a
global collaborative approach. . . .''
On World Malaria Day in 2010 he said, ``This is not an
endeavor for which we lack the knowledge, skills, or
resources to win. . . .''
Donald Payne was determined to win.
When he put his mind to it, he could do anything. He
believed he could change the world one village at a time,
and he did because that is the kind of man he was.
I served with Donald Payne in the House. I got to know
him. I grew to respect his deep and passionate commitment
to the institution and the people he served, his belief in
the process as it was intended by our Founders, to bring
all of us together, no matter what our politics or
persuasion, to make a difference for his district, for New
Jersey, for the Nation, and for people around the world.
Donald considered himself hugely lucky to serve. He saw
it as an honor and he made a difference because that too
is the kind of man he was. Donald Payne was a
Congressman's Congressman. To me he was what public
service is all about. He embodied the concept of Congress,
the assembly of a few good people committed to the
betterment of all of us.
In his passion for these issues, he worked in common
cause to bring together people who were often from totally
different ends of the political spectrum. Many of us would
refer to him as ``the great convener'' because he had the
unique ability to bring together people of disparate
beliefs on behalf of these issues he believed in and felt
so passionately about.
Don's career and accomplishments were exemplary. Before
he was elected to Congress, he was an educator in the
Newark and Passaic Public School Districts. He was the
former national president of the YMCA. He became New
Jersey's first African American Congressman, winning
election overwhelmingly in 1988, and was serving, at the
time of his death, his 12th consecutive term--this year.
He was a senior member of the House Committee on Education
and the Workforce, and he was a steadfast vocal advocate
for early childhood education. He was instrumental in
making K-12 education more successful and for making
college more affordable. He worked to cut in half the cost
of the Stafford loans and increased the Pell grants. He
was a tireless champion of working families, always an
advocate of increasing the minimum wage, always enforcing
workforce protections, because that is the kind of man
Donald Payne was. Through his life and service, he was a
man of the people, and the people of New Jersey will never
forget what he did for Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties
or for the State as a whole.
In the end Congressman Payne will be remembered for the
dignity and honor he brought to this institution and the
Congress and the district he represented, always putting
the interests of the community, New Jersey, and humanity
first, because that is the kind of man he was. Donald made
New Jersey proud, and he will forever be missed by all of
us who were touched by his warmth and compassion. I join
my colleagues in mourning the passing of a great man.
I visited Congressman Payne on Saturday at the hospital
and talked to his brother, who said leaders throughout the
world had been calling to inquire as to how he was.
Leaders throughout the world mourn his passing. They knew
how he touched the lives of their citizens.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donald's beloved
children and his entire family and all of those who were
touched by him throughout his life. He will be missed and
we certainly hope God will bless this great man who gave
back much more than he ever received in life.
I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that
the Senate proceed to S. Res. 390.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the
resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

A resolution (S. Res. 390) honoring the life and legacy
of the Honorable Donald M. Payne.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to
consider the resolution.

Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to
reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening
action or debate, and any statements related to the
resolution be printed in the Record.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so
ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 390) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 390
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne was born in
Newark, New Jersey on July 16, 1934, graduated from
Barringer High School in Newark and Seton Hall University
in South Orange, New Jersey, and pursued graduate studies
at Springfield College in Massachusetts;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne was an educator in
the Newark and Passaic, New Jersey public schools and was
an executive at Prudential Financial and at Urban Data
Systems Inc;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne became the first
African American national president of the YMCA in 1970
and served as Chairman of the World Refugee and
Rehabilitation Committee of the YMCA from 1973 to 1981;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne served 3 terms on
the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and 3 terms
on the Newark Municipal Council;
Whereas, in 1988, the Honorable Donald M. Payne became
the first African American elected to the United States
House of Representatives from the State of New Jersey;
Whereas the people of New Jersey overwhelmingly
reelected the Honorable Donald M. Payne 11 times, most
recently in 2010, when the Honorable Donald M. Payne was
elected to represent the Tenth Congressional District of
New Jersey for a 12th term;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne was a tireless
advocate for his constituents, bringing significant
economic development to Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties
in New Jersey;
Whereas, as a senior member of the Committee on
Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives, the Honorable Donald M. Payne was a
leading advocate for public schools, college
affordability, and workplace protections;
Whereas, as a senior member of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives, the Chairman and
Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global
Health, and Human Rights, and a member of the Subcommittee
on the Western Hemisphere, the Honorable Donald M. Payne
led efforts to restore democracy and human rights around
the world, including in Northern Ireland and Sudan;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne was a leader in
the field of global health, co-founding the Malaria
Caucus, and helping to secure passage of a bill
authorizing $50,000,000 for the prevention and treatment
of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne served as Chairman
of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and
previously as Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus;
Whereas, in March 2012, the United States Agency for
International Development launched the Donald M. Payne
Fellowship Program to attract outstanding young people to
careers in international development;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne served on the
boards of directors of the National Endowment for
Democracy, TransAfrica, the Discovery Channel Global
Education Partnership, the Congressional Award Foundation,
the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, the Newark Day Center,
and the Newark YMCA;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne was the recipient
of numerous honors and awards, including honorary
doctorates from multiple universities;
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne passed away on
March 6, 2012, and is survived by 3 children, 4
grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild; and
Whereas the Honorable Donald M. Payne's long history of
service will have an enduring impact on people in New
Jersey, across the United States, and around the world:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) expresses profound sorrow at the death of the
Honorable Donald M. Payne, United States Representative
for the Tenth Congressional District of New Jersey;
(2) conveys the condolences of the Senate to the family
of the Honorable Donald M. Payne; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the
Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to the House of
Representatives and the family of the Honorable Donald M.
Payne.

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.002

.epsThe Honorable Donald M. Payne
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.003

.epsJuly 16, 1934-March 6, 2012

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.005

.epsCelebration of Life

Congressman Donald M. Payne
10th District of New Jersey

Metropolitan Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey

March 14, 2012

...........................................................................................
Tributes

Hon. Chris Christie
New Jersey Governor

Hon. Eric H. Holder, Jr. (Letter from President Barack Obama)
Attorney General of the United States Hon. James E. Clyburn (SC-06) (Letter from Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader)
Assistant Democratic Leader, U.S. House of Representatives Hon. William V.S. Bull, Sr.
Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Liberia Hon. William Jefferson Clinton
42nd President of the United States Hon. Raymond L. LaHood
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation Hon. Lisa P. Jackson
Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Hon. Frank R. Lautenberg
Member, U.S. Senate Hon. Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05)
Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus Hon. Philip Thigpen
Chairman, Essex County Democratic Committee Hon. Sheila Y. Oliver
Speaker, New Jersey General Assembly Hon. John Lewis (GA-05)
Member, U.S. House of Representatives Hon. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Board Member, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. Hon. Cory Booker
Mayor, City of Newark Hon. Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
Essex County Executive Frank Khiene
YMCA Musical Interlude Lee Fisher
Chairman, South Ward Democratic Committee Marcellus King
Former Student Betty Neals
Junior Leaguers, Alumnus Ted Dagne
Senior Advisor, President of South Sudan Rev. Al Sharpton
National Action Network Hon. Robert L. Bowser
Mayor, City of East Orange
President, National Conference of Black Mayors Pastor Keith D. Wright
He Is Sovereign Ministries Honorable Sybil Elias
Chief Judge, Orange Municipal Court Musical Interlude William J. Ewing
Seton Hall Classmate Lawrence Hamm
Chairman, People's Organization for Progress Rev. Jesse Jackson
Rainbow Push Coalition Family Reflections William D. Payne, Brother
Wanda M. Payne, Daughter
Shakir Johnson, Grandson
Donald M. Payne, Jr., Son
Nicole Y. Payne, Daughter
Kathryn Stanley James, Sister
Craig A. Stanley, Nephew
Jack Payne, Grandson

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.004

.eps
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.006

.epsCongressman Donald M. Payne

World statesman, devoted father, servant to all people,
Donald Milford Payne was born to William Evander and Norma
Garrett Payne on July 16, 1934. He and his older siblings,
Kathryn and William, were raised in a loving environment
in a working-class area of all ethnicities that surely
fostered the Congressman's ability to embrace the concerns
of others in the many roads on which his life's journey
took him. Beloved by his family, colleagues, staff,
constituents, and people throughout the world, Congressman
Payne leaves a magnificent legacy of service for all to
emulate.

A graduate of Newark's public schools and Seton Hall
University (1957), Congressman Payne taught at South Side
High School, encouraging youngsters to strive to reach
their full potential. During his tenure as a manager at
Prudential Insurance Company, he volunteered with the
Leaguers and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)
where he established several significant national
programs. In 1970, he became the first African American
national president of the YMCA. Subsequently elected
chairman of the YMCA World Refugee and Rehabilitation
Committee, he visited more than eighty countries learning
about international problems in unknowing preparation to
later become a spokesperson for those indigenous
populations.

Congressman Payne's political sphere of influence stems
from his work as a district leader for the Democratic
Party, evolving to elected positions on the Newark City
Council, Essex County Freeholders, and culminating in his
landslide victory to the United States House of
Representatives for New Jersey's 10th District in 1988,
completing twelve terms. He was the first and only Black
Congressman elected from New Jersey. Nonetheless,
Congressman Payne held the mantle of representative for
all; the people's Congressman. He never wavered from his
campaign platform of advocacy for youth and the
underserved. He chaired the Congressional Black Caucus
(CBC) and was chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus
Foundation, Inc. at the time of his passing. As the gentle
warrior, he held firmly to his principles. He offered
legislation that affected education, global health, labor,
public policy and international diplomacy.
Appointed by President George W. Bush as Congressional
delegate to the United Nations for two terms, Congressman
Payne's wisdom and counsel on international affairs was
highly respected by national leaders. He was deeply
admired and loved by people all over the world,
particularly the people of Africa, Ireland and the
Caribbean. As ranking member of the Subcommittee on
Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, he authored legislation that
declared genocide in Darfur, Sudan, addressed famine
relief, secured $50 million for tuberculosis issues, and
$50 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in sub-
Saharan Africa. He was also a major contributor to the
work of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Agency for International
Development established a fellowship designed to attract
outstanding young people to careers in international
development. The fellowship will be named in honor of
Congressman Payne.

Congressman Payne was a life-long member of Bethlehem
Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey where Reverend Toney
E. Jackson is the senior pastor. Congressman Payne was a
true family man, raising his children as a widower upon
the death of his wife Hazel Johnson in 1963. He always
involved his children in his community activism. Donald
Jr., Wanda and Nicole have all embraced their father's
love of service to others, extending the road that their
father paved. If the next generations of Paynes--Jack,
Yvonne, Donald II, Shakir and Samir--can walk that often
difficult path as well, with all whom Congressman Payne
touched, the world will surely be a better place for the
gift of his remarkable life.
The Order of Service

Celebration of the Life of Donald M. Payne,

Member of Congress
Rev. Dr. David Jefferson, Sr. Pastor Toney E. Jackson
Metropolitan Baptist Church Bethlehem Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Newark, NJ
Officiating Congressman Payne's home church Organ Prelude ............................................... Processional ............................................... Invocation Rev. David Jefferson, Jr.
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Musical Solo The Lord's Prayer by
Trustee Chama White
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Old Testament Rev. Ron Christian
Christian Love Baptist Church
Irvington, NJ New Testament Jack Payne
Grandson Prayer of Comfort Rev. Dana Owen
Messiah Baptist Church
East Orange, NJ Ministry of Music Combined Choirs, Bethlehem Baptist Church and
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Tributes ............................................... Ministry of Music Combined Choirs, Bethlehem Baptist Church and
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Tributes ............................................... Ministry of Music Combined Choirs, Bethlehem Baptist Church and
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Family Reflections William D. Payne, Brother
Wanda M. Payne, Daughter
Shakir Johnson, Grandson
Donald M. Payne, Jr., Son
Nicole Y. Payne, Daughter
Kathryn Stanley James, Sister
Craig A. Stanley, Nephew His Life Story Fran Bradman, Bethlehem Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Eulogy Pastor Toney E. Jackson
Bethlehem Baptist Church
Newark, NJ Recessional ...............................................
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.001

.epsU.S. Capitol flag flown half staff in honor of
Congressman Donald M. Payne

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.007

.epsThe celebration will conclude at gravesite with full
military honors
Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, NJ

Acknowledgements
The Family wishes to acknowledge the many expressions
of sympathy and condolences they have received. The
outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
We ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.
May God's continuous blessing be yours.
Governor Chris Christie.

I want to be a Congressman to serve as a role model for
the young people I talk to on the Newark street corners. I
want them to see there are no barriers to achievement. I
want to give them a reason to try.

I looked at a lot of things that Congressman Payne has
said over the last 48 hours preparing to come here today,
and I'm sure you'll hear a lot of them after me. I don't
think anything that I read that he said symbolized who he
was better than that statement.

I want to serve as a role model for the young people I
talk to on the Newark street corners. I want them to see
there's no barrier to achievement. I want to give them a
reason to try.

He did. He did. He did in every day of his life in every
way that he served. He did when he was thundering for
justice on the floor of the House of Representatives. He
did in his quiet moments with his family and friends. He
did as he called out the injustices he saw in the world in
both major speeches and quiet moments. He did when he
stood up for what he believed was right every day and was
willing to spend his entire life trying to make the dreams
of others a reality.
Now, whether it was advocating for education, let's
remember he was a teacher. He started as a teacher and he
would tell you he never stopped. He never stopped being a
teacher no matter what other places God called him to
serve. I believe he saw his role as a teacher as the
formative experience of his life, and when he went to
Congress he fought. He fought hard for education for every
child in America, no matter their zip code, no matter
their economic standing, no matter how others saw their
potential, he knew that if given a chance, their potential
could be realized. And whether it was justice here at
home, which was so obvious to him, he pointed out what was
not so obvious to us around the world. Whether it was in
Africa, or in Ireland, whether it was people enjoying
liberty and freedom everywhere, the liberty and freedom he
fought for, or whether it was protecting people from the
scourge of disease, he understood that justice took all
forms, not just the justice that comes from a system of
government that allows people to live their lives freely,
but the justice that comes from people having equal access
to the medicines that will keep them alive. He fought for
those things too, and he fought for those things whether
you were a member of his party or a member of the opposite
party.
From this I speak from personal experience. For 7 years
we were neighbors. Lots of people don't know that, but you
know his district office was in the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Courthouse and I was next door in the building named
for his predecessor as the U.S. Attorney. When my staff
would allow me to wander into the courthouse, I would
often see Congressman Payne, and the thing that struck me
the most about him was his gentle power.
There are many people who use power in many different
ways, and their personalities come across and project in
different ways [Laughter].
Congressman Payne and I complemented each other
[Laughter and applause].
It was the gentleness of his soul that came through to
me each and every time we spoke, whether it was about an
important issue that he was concerned about and wanted to
speak to me, or whether it was just talking about our
families, and how our lives were going, and how we thought
we could do more good for the people who gave us an
opportunity to serve.
He was a role model, not just for those kids on the
street corners of Newark that he talked about, but he was
a role model for all of us, to understand that the
opportunity to serve is not just an opportunity. It's a
responsibility. It's a responsibility to use that
opportunity to do good and great things. He spent a life
doing good and great things, and he did it in a way that
was gentle but powerful. All of you who sit here this
morning who knew him, who admired him, who loved him, know
that that combination is one that's rare in any human
being but particularly rare in human beings in public
life.
So as we celebrate his life today, and as we say
goodbye, we thank him for his gentle grace. We thank him
for his firm sense of what is right and wrong, we thank
him for standing up for those who have trouble standing up
for themselves and on behalf of the people of the State
that he served his entire life, I thank his family for
giving him to our State, selflessly, giving him to our
State to make our State a better place, to make us a
better people. He did that for New Jersey. He did that for
America. And he was a shining example for citizens all
over the world of what is truly great about this country,
that anyone who is willing to work hard enough and
believes strongly enough in the things they hold inside,
can change the world. Donald Payne changed the world
[Applause].

Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. Thank you, Reverend
Jefferson. It is an honor to join with you, Governor
Christie, President Clinton, and leaders from across and
beyond this State--and with so many of Congressman Payne's
family members, friends, colleagues, and constituents--as
we pay tribute to the remarkable life, and the enduring
legacy, of a dedicated public servant, a determined
advocate, a dear friend, and a beloved father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather.
I want to thank the Payne family for allowing me to
share in this occasion. I also would like to recognize
Congressman Payne's extended family--the people of New
Jersey's 10th Congressional District. Without question,
representing you in Washington was the highlight and
highest honor of his career. So it's especially moving to
see such an outpouring of affection and appreciation from
so many neighbors, friends, and fellow New Jerseyans whose
lives have been touched, and enriched, by the exceptional
leader we've gathered to remember.
Although we have come together in a time of loss, it is
clear that we are bound by more than grief. We are united
by our gratitude--for Congressman Payne's enduring
contributions, his many sacrifices, and his inspiring
achievements. And--as he would be the first to remind us--
we are also joined by a shared responsibility--to carry on
his critical work, to carry forward his vision of a
stronger Nation and a better world, and to live up to the
example of service that he left to us.
Throughout his life, Donald Payne was a champion for the
most vulnerable among us--a trailblazer who, even as he
rose to unprecedented heights, never forgot to reach back
and help to lift up those in need. As the first African
American to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Congress, he
brought the perspective of a public school teacher to the
halls of power in our Nation's Capital. He proved to be
both a statesman and gentleman. In a city where progress
can too often be stalled by bureaucracy and big egos, he
showed how compassion, courage, and willingness to find
common ground can drive positive change.
At every turn, just as surely as he was a strong
advocate for his constituents--and, in particular, for
young people, the elderly, and those across, and far
beyond, this country who could not speak out or stand up
for themselves--so, too, was he a determined enemy: of
poverty; of violence and cruelty toward children; of
obstacles to prosperity; of war; and of human rights
abuses around the world.
In addition--for President Obama, for me, and for so
many other beneficiaries of his work--Congressman Payne
was a treasured friend, advisor, and role model. We have
stood on his shoulders--and been privileged to walk
through the doorways of opportunity that he pried open. He
helped make real the possibility of our Nation's first
African American President--and first African American
Attorney General.
Over the course of his 12 terms in Congress, he rose to
become a powerful Member of the U.S. House of
Representatives, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
and a congressional delegate to the United Nations. He
fought tirelessly for the middle class, for quality
education, for peace in war-torn Africa, and for the human
dignity of millions around the world.
In a business where taking credit is nothing less than
an art form, Congressman Payne was always the last to seek
recognition. He focused, not on the spotlight, but on
solving problems and serving others. His legacy lies in
the summer jobs programs that have done so much to keep
America's young people in school and out of the criminal
justice system; in the diplomatic and humanitarian
attention that the world has focused on Africa; in the aid
that has saved and improved countless lives; and in the
stories of so many individual New Jerseyans, who, for 24
years, were fortunate to have one of the best and
strongest voices in Washington speaking out on their
behalf.
Yet, were he here today, I know that Congressman Payne
would seize this opportunity to point out that, for all
the progress that we've seen as a Nation, and all the
achievements that he, personally, helped to bring about,
much more remains to be done. In far too many
neighborhoods here in Newark and across this country,
there are kids who will not find their way to college, and
who will find the doors of opportunity to be closed. In
countries like Sudan and Somalia, there are ordinary
citizens who cry out for an end to suffering, to violence,
and to poverty, but still find the community of nations
slow to respond.
Today, we can be justifiably proud of the progress that
Congressman Payne dedicated his life to making, both here
and around the world. But, as we take him to his rest this
morning, it is also time to recommit ourselves to the
spirit of compassion that defined him, and the call to
service that shaped his career, a call that his brother
and his son have already taken up, each in his own way.
Let these efforts be our common cause. Let our work be
Donald Payne's living monument. And let his unwavering
faith, in our Nation, in the citizens of New Jersey, and
in the power of public service, continue to guide our
steps forward.
Once again, thank you for the chance to share in this
moment, and for the opportunity to join you in bidding
farewell to an extraordinary leader and mentor, and a good
friend.
It is now my privilege to read a letter of condolence to
the Payne family.
March 12, 2012
The Family of Donald Payne
Dear Payne Family:
Michelle and I were deeply saddened by the passing of
Congressman Donald Payne, and we extend our heartfelt
condolences at this difficult time.
Don will be remembered for his trailblazing career, his
passion for lifting up America's working families, and his
abiding commitment to restoring human rights and democracy
across Africa. I know he will be dearly missed, and I pray
both time and fond memories will temper the grief you must
feel.
Please know that you and your loved ones will remain in
my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama,
President of the United States of America.

President Bill Clinton. As I see the struggles we still
have in America, and read one more heartbreaking story
about the violence of the world, I realize that the
headlines are always going to be dominated by who drops
bombs and who gets killed and who does this other thing.
Don Payne believed peace was better than war, he believed
that it was better to build than to break and then pick up
the pieces of what you had not built in the first place.
He believed it was better to reconcile than to resent. You
know when he grew up, he could have been a resenter, he
could have been an angry man, not a builder. If so, this
church would not be full today. He knew big always beats
small. I loved him, because day in and day out while he
built his own family, dealt with his own problems, dealt
with his own life, he just kept building. He is now
finished his course, and God has said, ``Well done.'' In
every walk of life, more than anything else my friend, you
were a good and faithful servant.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. Thank you for giving me
this chance to remember Congressman Payne. I have been
praying for him and his family since his hospitalization
earlier this month. They are in my thoughts and prayers
now as they say goodbye to a father and a grandfather and
a friend.
Much as I am glad to be back in New Jersey with all of
you, I am sorry to be here under these circumstances. When
I was thinking about what to say, I realized that I took
my first job in New Jersey right around the time that
Congressman Payne took office [1989]. I lived here and
worked here and started my family here in the time that
served his district and this State.
I return here today with all of you to a State that was
made better by his service.
I am deeply grateful to Congressman Payne for breaking
barriers that stood in the way for so many years. He made
history as the first, but certainly not the last, African
American Congressman from this State. I am happy to have
raised my two sons in a place where they could see, first
hand, how far they could go in their lives.
Congressman Payne also added his voice to struggles of
people half the world away. He saw that the distances
between nations would not keep us from being connected and
sharing interests. So he dedicated himself to protecting
the rights, improving the safety, and honoring the dignity
of people who lived thousands of miles from here. In fact,
he did more than just lend his voice, even going so far as
to put himself in dangerous places at dangerous times.
It was a great example of someone worrying less about
keeping his job, and more about not wasting any
opportunities the job gave him to help people in need. It
was the work of a man using his position and his power to
simply do the right thing.
Even with the sweeping impacts he had on our history and
our international work, Congressman Payne was first and
foremost dedicated to his district. He will be remembered
here for all he did to improve lives and create
opportunities in the New Jersey 10th. I'm glad to know
that his commitment to public service runs through his
family.
As I said, I settled down here around the time
Congressman Payne took office, which means I began my
career protecting health and the environment here at that
same time. So let me finally say farewell to someone who
was a champion for our environment. Congressman Payne was
dedicated to protecting our health from pollution, and
stepped up to make our communities stronger and cleaner so
that the people of this State could enjoy every possible
opportunity. I was particularly grateful for his focus on
communities that face disparities in pollution and thus,
suffered disproportionately from the health effects.
His work is not done, and will carry on in the people he
inspired through 23 years in Congress and a lifetime of
service. He will be greatly missed here in his home State
of New Jersey, back in Washington, and in the regions he
advocated for around the globe. My thoughts and prayers
are with his family and friends, and with Congressman
Payne as he returns home.

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. Thank you, Pastor David
Jefferson, for welcoming us to the Metropolitan Baptist
Church today.
We are here to pay tribute to our friend and colleague,
Donald Payne.
Our hearts go out to his family, including his brother
William, his sister Kathryn, his three children, four
grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
We thank all of you for sharing Donald Payne with all of
us.
President Clinton, welcome to Newark. Your presence and
the presence of all of our guests today shows the powerful
impact that Donald had in New Jersey, Washington, and
beyond.
I knew Donald for years, and I was always struck by his
soft-spoken demeanor, which made him a rarity in politics.
Donald knew he didn't need to raise his voice--his ideas
were powerful enough.
Donald put it best when he said, ``There is a lot of
dignity in being able to achieve things without having to
create rapture.''
I hope that Donald will forgive us for a little rapture
today as we remember the remarkable life he led.
Congressman Donald Payne will be remembered as a
trailblazer and one of the finest leaders our State has
ever known.
For more than two decades, Donald served New Jersey with
distinction--but the whole world benefited from his
leadership.
This proud son of Newark became an expert on foreign
relations and led efforts to restore democracy and human
rights around the world, including in Northern Ireland and
Sudan.
We heard President Clinton reflect on Donald's role in
his historic tour of Africa in 1998.
Even as he worked around the world to end famine,
disease, and genocide, Donald never stopped fighting for
those here at home.
As everyone here knows, Donald was a tireless advocate
for his constituents, bringing significant economic
development to Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties.
As a former schoolteacher in Newark and Passaic public
schools, he was also a leader on education issues.
He worked hard to close the achievement gap, make
college more affordable, and bring more equity to school
funding.
Donald became an inspiration to many, including members
of his family who are here today and who followed him into
careers in public service.
But most of all, Donald was an inspiration to the people
he served.
In 1988, during his first campaign for the House, he
told a reporter, ``I want to be a role model for the kids
I talk to on the street corners. I want them to see there
are no barriers to achievement.''
Donald Payne achieved this goal.
An entire generation of New Jerseyans has come of age
knowing and respecting Congressman Donald Payne.
He has undoubtedly inspired many young New Jerseyans to
enter public service, and I expect we will one day see
some of them walking the Halls of Congress, following in
Donald Payne's footsteps.
Since his passing, the Halls of Congress and the streets
of Newark feel emptier without his presence.
We will miss Congressman Donald Payne and we will mourn
his absence from our lives, but we will also take comfort
in the knowledge that his legacy will endure for a long
time to come.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Emanuel Cleaver II. It
falls to me, as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus,
to speak a few words about our friend and colleague,
Donald Payne.
He was indulgent with his family, intolerant toward
injustice, invisible during credit-taking time,
incorruptible in a city of temptation and inextinguishable
as a human spirit who is much loved.
Now I am compelled to utter something that is
counterintuitive. Washington, DC, is a city of heroes.
Yes, I challenge the late-night comedians and mid-day
commentators. Washington, DC, is a city of heroes.
This is the city of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson,
Roosevelt and Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Reagan.
This is the city where leaders have gathered since 1790
to create the most democratic republic in world history.
This is the city that attracted courageous leaders who
slammed slavery into the junkpile of days gone by.
The leaders of Washington suffered from and eventually
stabilized the scariest economic downturn in world
history.
It was from this city that the will was harvested to win
not one but two world wars.
With civil rights leaders at the forefront, Jim Crow was
liquidated legislatively in Washington, DC.
Donald Payne sowed seeds of civility and thus enjoyed a
bountiful harvest of good will from all sides.
This is the city where in 1983 Ronald Reagan and Tip
O'Neill bandaged Social Security and added two decades to
its solvency.
The forceful but civil words Donald Payne spoke in these
Hallowed Halls were short to speak but their echoes are
endless.
Heroes in Washington, DC, are made by the men and women
who, win or lose, and at no small risk to themselves,
place their name on ballots for a place in the People's
House.
Donald Payne was a hero, he defeated a hero to get here
and once here, he remained true to his ideals and beliefs.
Donald Payne was a hero because he never landed on the
evening news because of caustic comments.
He is a hero because he forced congressional attention
on Africa.
He became a hero because in a time filled with hot air,
he taught us to say nothing often.
He is a hero because he won more Washington battles with
his ears than his mouth.
He is a hero because his life was measured not by its
duration but by its donation.
John Wesley, who is credited with creating the
Foundation, said, ``Our people die well.''
``Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, They rest
from their labor and their works do follow them.''
At the funeral of former Soviet Leader, Leonid Brezhnev,
his widow, without the knowledge of the Soviet leadership
or the KGB, stood motionless by her husband's coffin until
a few seconds before it was closed. Then just as the
soldiers touched the lid, the former Soviet leader's widow
performed an act of great courage; she reached down and
made the sign of the cross on her husband's chest.
She did what she was not supposed to do. But she had
hopes for another life for her husband, another life
represented by Jesus Christ. She was asking for mercy for
her husband.
I realize that I am not supposed to do anything
religious at this service. But I do as Donald did, believe
in life in another realm.

Representative John Lewis. On April 3, 1968, Martin Luther
King, Jr., gave his last sermon in Memphis, TN. He talked
about a trip he and Coretta took to Jerusalem where they
drove along the road to Jericho. He discovered it was a
long winding journey, full of twists and bends, and places
where someone could easily get ambushed. I hear many
people did.
King said as he drove, he understood why Jesus used the
road to Jericho in a parable to illustrate the meaning of
brotherly love. A Levite priest walked on that winding
road and saw a troubled stranger who lay stranded,
struggling, and in pain.
But the priest was afraid, and said, ``If I stop to help
this man, what will happen to me?'' But when the good
Samaritan passed down that road, he did not hesitate to
lend a hand. He lost all concern for himself, King said,
asking instead, ``If I do not stop to help this man, what
will happen to him?''
Donald Payne was a good Samaritan who never turned a
blind eye to the sorrow of any human being. Through his
work he left a powerful legacy that demonstrates to every
single person who ever knew him what a life of public
service truly means. He was such a gentleman who walked
with dignity and pride, but he was so unassuming, so
sincere, so dedicated.
His only motive was to defend the people of his
district. He loved the people, and the people loved him.
The care and support of the human family was his charge
that led him beyond the borders of any legislative
mandate. He believed it was his duty to stand up for the
locked out and the left behind wherever he might find
them, in Newark, in New Jersey, in America, Africa, or
around the world.
He was a beautiful man, a sensitive man who dared, as
one philosopher put it, to reach his hand into darkness,
so he could pull someone else into the light. He was never
afraid to ride into conflict, if it meant he could get a
clearer understanding of what was good and just.
He could navigate the toughest streets of Newark. No
neighborhood was too hard, too difficult, or too
distressed for him to pay a visit to teachers, schools,
parents, or students. No Nation was too dangerous or too
remote, if he believed he could make a difference.
One of the first trips I ever took to Somalia was with
Don. I will never forget it. Everywhere we went in little,
dusty villages on the side of a winding road, in the halls
of government, in the homes of the poor, everywhere we
went they knew this good Samaritan by name. They knew Don,
and he knew them.
I learned so much from him during that trip. It was very
dangerous because rebels were holding back American
supplies, starving people to death. Don and I saw children
just hours from death, dangling, just skin and bones, held
in their mothers' arms. We saw people dying on the side of
the road. Though trouble was all around us, Don never
thought about his safety, while so many lives were at
stake. He never needed any fanfare, only the opportunity
to serve, and he would be the first to come when you
called.
He was one of the first Members of Congress to join me
in Alabama long before there was any thought about a
pilgrimage. He and Connie Morella from Maryland walked
with me across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, not for fashion
or for fame, but to pay tribute to history.
He was a quiet visionary who searched for meaning in all
he did, one of the nicest human beings you ever want to
meet. He was warm and kind. He never hid behind the walls
of position or power. He was a humble, decent man,
comfortable in his own skin. He was anchored in his
mission and that grounded him. Donald Payne had the
strength to love. To me, he was the embodiment, the
personification of the best in the human spirit.
My last trip with him was on December 10, Human Rights
Day, when he invited me to his district.
Don, it was a wonderful time to be with you, to see how
the people of your district admired and loved and
supported you.
I am so glad we spent that time together. I am glad you
called me when you did and that you gave me an opportunity
to see you before you left Washington for the last time.
The last words I ever heard him speak were not about his
health, but about the people he still felt the need to
serve.
He said, ``John, I have so much that I want to do.'' He
was saying in effect, he was not finished. And he was
right. He was a rare individual, whose leaving left a void
of leadership. We may not be so lucky to see his likeness
again. But Donald, I want to promise you today and the
heavenly hosts that surround you, we will finish what you
started, and you will help by being our heavenly guide.
We will do our part in your memory with your gentle
spirit in our hearts. Safe travels, my friend, my
colleague, my beloved brother, to the far corners of
heaven. A good Samaritan has finally found his way home.
We will see you again some day. We will meet again. Thank
you.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board Member Sheila
Jackson Lee. To the Payne family, Members of Congress,
Senators, former President Bill Clinton, Governor
Christie, Mayor Corey Booker, members of the
administration, the community of Newark and the community
of New Jersey, I am Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and I
am here to bring you remarks on behalf of the
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in regards to our
beloved friend, Congressman Donald Payne.
Congressman Payne provided me with a tremendous amount
of support as I became a new member of the CBC. I am
particularly grateful for his constant encouragement and
lessons on the great history of the caucus. At a time when
the political rhetoric has become toxic and elected
officials often pander to their basic instincts of the
most radical part of themselves, Donald Payne continued to
represent his constituents as a forceful statesman.
His work as a member of the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs helped promote democracy and protect basic human
rights abroad. As the ranking member of the Subcommittee
on Africa and Global Health, he was also the author of
legislation that provided famine relief in Darfur and
facilitated the peace process in that area. He also
founded the Malaria Caucus and helped to secure billions
of dollars in aid to treat HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis, and
malaria abroad.
Depth of life is not only measured by how much we
appreciate the important things, but also by how much we,
in turn, are appreciated. Again, we find the true meaning
of this idea among ourselves and our feelings. We are here
because we cared. We are here because our connection with
Donald Payne was a deep connection based on friendship,
love, trust, and understanding. That can only happen with
a treasured human spirit, with a spirit like Donald Payne.
When I heard the sad news that Donald Payne had passed
away a few days ago, my first thought was that a light had
just gone out in the world. I sat in stunned silence at my
desk for a very long time thinking about the influence he
had on my life that, until that moment, I am not sure I
fully appreciated.
As I stand here there is a song in my head that I can't
get rid of. Some of you may know it. It was a popular song
from a not so good television show a few years ago called
``The Heights.'' The song was: ``How do you talk to an
angel?'' I'm standing here wondering just that, because
there is no doubt in my mind that Donald Payne was an
angel here on Earth and is now an angel in heaven. He had
a heart of gold. Looking around this church today makes it
clear just how many people's lives Donald touched with
that heart of gold.
How was I supposed to choose from all those memories of
joy and laughter, or the way he always seemed to know what
we Members of Congress had been up to, because no doubt,
he'd been up to the same things himself, back in his
district here in Newark?
Now there is an empty space where once a man worked,
played, and bent down to take the hands of his children,
and his children's children. It's a very large void, not
so much because his physical presence is now gone, but
more because the way in which he shared himself was
something that filled us all with the sense that we were
someone special to him as special as he was to us. And
that space can never be filled by another person.
We have all appreciated the visits, and the phone calls,
the little stories of things that Donald did or told you,
most of which we'd never heard before. It's like adding
more pictures to the album of memories we already have.
Our greatest regret being that we did not have more years
with him in which to add to that album.
In closing, I'd like to suggest something to you. Don't
mourn; don't be sad. He wouldn't have wanted that. Instead
remember the good times: remember his laughter, remember
his smile, remember him happily and remember him often.
Now that is how he would want us to feel. He was a
courageous man and a renaissance man who will be truly
missed.
No one expected tomorrow to come so soon. As I see all
of you, and as I spent this moment talking to you and
sharing comfort, I know my brother Donald Payne has done a
great thing. He pulled a vast number of people together of
different hues, backgrounds, and areas, and brought you
all together. It is a testament to his values, a testament
to his charm and a testament to a great life. I hope what
he gave you will stay with you just long enough for you to
share it with someone else. He will stay with me because
that's what great friends are supposed to do.
Donald was a devoted husband, father, brother, and
member of his community. I would like to ask that you
remember the words of Matthew 5:1-14.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and
after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he
began to speak, and taught them saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you
and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my
account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who
were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its
taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no
longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled
under foot.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill
cannot be hid.

Donald was a light in this world, now he is a light in
heaven.

William D. Payne, brother. Thank you very much Reverend
and clergy members. I think that's what you're supposed to
say. I'm not used to speaking in churches. Reverend,
clergy, and others, I want to thank you very much for
coming here today.
Some of you have probably known the Payne brothers for
quite a long time and you probably know that we are kind
of close. I have a difficult time referring to my brother
in the past tense. He's still here--I just cannot yet
accept the fact that he will not be there when I call the
office late at night as I used to do. Even though the
office closed at 6 or 7, Donald might've been there at 10
or 11 at night. He would want to get some work done and I
would call. He would answer the phone sometimes but he
would try to disguise his voice because he wouldn't want
anybody calling him. I would call late at night. He kind
of said, ``Congressman Payne's office.'' I would say,
``can I speak with Congressman Payne?'' He tried to
disguise his voice in case he wanted to say, ``well he's
not in right now.''
I can also say that I was there, Congressman Lewis, when
my brother said to you that ``he had so much more to do
and that he wished that he had more time'' and you
comforted him by saying ``Don, you've done a good job.''
So, I just want to thank you for that.
President Clinton, you may not remember this but we were
playing miniature golf up in Martha's Vineyard a couple
years back, and I happened to walk by and you said,
``Where's Don?'' I said, ``He's not here.'' Then you said,
``I want to thank him for all the work he's been doing for
Africa.''
We were up there a couple years ago and he talked about
all the times that he had in the White House and after the
official functions were over he would go upstairs with the
family and join in. He told me once that there was dancing
up there. He was dancing with the Secretary of State and
he said to her, ``Boy, for a woman from Little Rock you
sure can dance,'' and she said, ``Wait a minute Donald,
I'm from Chicago. He's from Little Rock.''
I would like to thank one person who hasn't been
mentioned. We talk about the triplets and how wonderful
they are and all of that business. But, nowhere is
mentioned the person who is really responsible for the
triplets truly being who they are and her name is
Beatrice. The mother of the triplets hasn't been
mentioned. I want Beatrice to stand up. You look to the
program and her name is not there but I also like to say
[sniffles] . . . I have a tissue so that's alright. We
grew up in poverty so we didn't have handkerchiefs so we
just [sniffles] . . . fancy tissues, but we didn't have
that kind of stuff. My brother and I used to be very close
as we were saying. Sometimes we would walk--when we were
10 or 11 years old we lived with our grandparents because
our mother passed away when she was only 30 years old and
my grandmother said Willie, our father, was too young to
raise these kids. So they bought a house with my aunt and
my grandparents. They bought a house so we went to live
with them. My grandmother was very strict. She gave us a
lot of orders to do things, and we had jobs to do, and one
was to wipe the stairs down every Saturday, and to do this
or that. Also one of them was you had to lock the gate
when you were coming back. Don't leave the gate unlocked.
So Don and I would walk together down the street and one
of us would have to lock that gate, and we would always
walk down the street with our arms around each other and
just at the right moment one of us would break because one
of us would try to outfox the other and we would run and
go down the street. He was fast.
We're here and we have so many people to thank. I saw my
friend Jim McGreevy here a little while ago and I saw Jim
Florio here also. They were great friends. I want to
mention that March 6 is the day. It's the day that my
father passed, on the same night in 1989. My father passed
on the same day that my brother passed. I didn't realize
it at the time but he went home to be with my father on
the very same date. We've been really blessed to have had
my brother.
People used to say, ``He ain't heavy, he's your
brother.'' I began to realize that I was not carrying him,
Donald was carrying me because there are those who say
that Don is a very nice guy. He's the decent one. He's so
nice. And Bill is the other one. I think he carried me a
lot. I'm going to miss him a great deal. You know I had
the opportunity to see him on occasion in some of the
other African nations where he went and I saw how they
treated him and I guess what describes him is that he
walked with kings but he never ever lost the common touch.
Donald was a very humble man and I love him, and I'm not
sure what I am going to do when I call late at night and
he's not there.
Thank you.

Wanda M. Payne, daughter. I am going to be very brief. My
father used to tell me not to say that I'm not a speaker,
so I'm going to be quick. I just want to thank everybody
for their love and support during these difficult times.
My father was like a mother and a father to me because as
you know my mother passed away when I was 2 and my brother
was 4. He never remarried so he raised us on his own and
he did a good job.
He always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to do
just as long as I was happy and good at it. I am a pre-K
teacher and I love my job. He never pushed me to do
anything else because you have to be happy with what you
do or you're not going to be effective.
In closing, I would like to thank Reverend Ron
Christian. I mention him because it really touched me when
the minute he knew that my father was gravely ill he
stayed with us and him at the hospital throughout the
whole 4 or 5 days in Washington and New Jersey and never
left. He slept there and he prayed with us constantly. Not
to take away from anyone else, but he didn't have to stay
there. Thank you Ron. I love you. I love everyone else and
that's it.
And Shakir, my son, my father really helped me raise
him, from bottle feeding to taking him to school. All of
that. Shakir--would you like to say something? Come on.
Thanks again.

Shakir Johnson, grandson. I am a little shy, but you know
what, I will just speak from my heart. As you know, like
my mom says, it is very tough but I know I can't hang my
head because I have to support not just my mom, but my
family, including my son, who is right here with me. I
just want to say, thanks to everybody who came over to the
house. Like I said, I am a little nervous, but I just want
to thank everybody who helped out. I want to be successful
and help out as much as possible and I love everybody.

Donald M. Payne, Jr., son. Good afternoon. Let your hearts
not be troubled.
To the assembled clergy, President Clinton, the
dignitaries, friends from all over the 10th Congressional
District, and the world, and to our family.
I was fortunate to have a wonderful family because you
don't get to choose your parents. I was talking to my
aunts the other day as we were trying to make plans for
them to get here from Virginia and something just came to
my head and I said, ``I thank God for my mother for having
such great taste.''
I want everyone to be happy. I'm at peace.
On March 6, I found strength that I didn't know I had.
We've all talked about the man today but no man is
perfect. Donald Payne, the Congressman, had flaws. He bit
his nails, he hoarded newspapers, and he would make me
take his garbage out, as I lived next door. So, no, the
man was not perfect.
I want to thank Uncle Bill for correcting something that
was missed. Beatrice Payne is very important in all of our
lives. As it was stated, she is the mother of the triplets
which was one of the reasons my father allowed me to stay
around. So, Uncle Bill, I appreciate you for introducing
her so I can go home tonight. One more time for Beatrice
Payne, please.
Mayor Booker, I never received as many ``no's'' as you
did from him.
I really want to thank everyone for the outpouring of
love that you have shown my father. He was a very simple
and principled man with very complicated issues. He always
told me that it was either right or it was wrong.
Irrespective of what it was, it was either right or wrong.
So, life was very simple for him.
To his staff--he thought the world of you. Because he
was about giving people opportunities and as I said to
them last night, he would not have hired you if he didn't
think there was something special about you--to give you
the opportunity to rise and meet your potential. So, thank
you for what you did for him because no man can do it
alone. Thank you.
He didn't have a lot of time and one of the things I
think made this situation easier for me is because he was
always gone. He was either in Washington or he was
traveling and so I have to snap and think that he is not
here anymore. The realization will come, but it feels as
though he is either in Washington walking the Halls of
Congress or flying into Africa right now. I have had my
time to grieve and I guess I will grieve more but during
his illness I drove to Washington. I didn't take a plane
or train. I drove and I had a lot of time to reflect on
what he meant to me and the things that he has done for
other people. I'm at peace and I want my family to be at
peace.
Just think of the things that he did for us without ever
asking for anything.
He always wanted people to understand that no man was
above another man.
There was a poem that he used to recite and if you were
close to him, he taught it to you. I don't know if he
taught it to me or if I heard it so much that I remembered
it. I believe the poem really gets to the essence of who
he was. And it says:

Whether you have blonde fleecy locks or black complexion
it does not forfeit nature's claim.
Skin may differ
but affection dwells in black and white the same.
Were I so tall as to reach the pole or span the ocean with
my hands
I must be measured by my soul.
The mind is the standard of a man.

Thank you.

Nicole Y. Payne, daughter. Good afternoon.

Titus 2:7:
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing
good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect in
the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

This verse embodies the legacy of my father. As our
family moved through the process during the final days
with him, I was fluttered with pleasant memories of him
and how he lived life and loved to live. My first
rollercoaster ride was with my father. I realized going
through the process that the ride was analogous to life.
It was a life lesson of how to enjoy the ride we call life
through the peaks, the valleys, the scary times, and the
points of exhilaration, and to truly enjoy the ride.
As I sat in the hospital room during the last days of
his life, I was utterly moved and compelled to tears as
people came, visited, and thanked him for all his works
that inspired them to be better people and to make a
difference in the world. As I read the cards, they thanked
him for turning on their heat, turning on their lights,
and getting food stamps. He was their champion. He was
their advocate--from the constituents of Bergen Street and
the neighborhoods like it, to the obscure villages in
Africa there is still work to be done.
Known as a gentle man, he was also a fighter, but not to
destroy--to edify. He was passionate about compassion and
he had to fight for what was right. He could not rest
until it was done. So, today I implore you to replace your
tears of sadness with tears of joy and to enjoy having
known him, and to continue to plant the seeds and to reap
the good works. Celebrate his life and do something in
your lifetime to impact someone else, but most of all, do
this with integrity, compassion, determination, but most
of all with love.
Thank you.

Kathryn Stanley James, sister. A lot of you don't know me,
but I am the matriarch of this great family, even though
they think of me as the crybaby. Bill was the hard one,
Donald was the great one, and I was the little crybaby.
But, today I feel that I can speak about my brother. I
remember when my brother was 3 years old. He used to march
around the house with a pot and a spoon in his hand,
marching like he was in a parade. When he went outside, he
would do the same thing. He has been in many parades
during his life. Today is his last parade as we followed
his casket to the church.
I want to say that I appreciate all of you for coming
here and I want to tell you a couple of little things.
When I was in the Hall of Records at the courthouse,
where Donald was lying in state, I met many people that
came to pay their respect for what he did for them. This
one particular lady was telling me that she had triplets.
Because she and her husband were struggling with the
triplets, Donald bought three cribs, diapers, food, and
everything that she needed to help the children. He always
made sure that they were okay. I said to her, ``Oh that's
great! Donald has beautiful triplet grandchildren: Donald,
Jack, and my little bunny (Yvonne).''
She said, ``Oh yeah?''
I said, ``They're 13 years old. How old are your
triplets?''
She said, ``42 years old.''
That shows you even before he was this great Congressman
he was taking care of people in his district; helping them
with food and other matters.
This past December, Donald called me. He wasn't even in
this country I don't think, but he said, ``Kathryn, I want
to take you to the White House for the Christmas reception
with the President.'' I was glad at first and then I
started thinking, oh my goodness what am I going to wear?
What am I going to do? So I said, ``Okay, I'll be there.''
As I was getting ready that morning, I put my evening
bag and my driver's license together because you need
identification to get into the White House. When we
arrived at the White House, Donald asked, ``Do you have
your driver's license?'' I told him that I had everything.
So we're at the White House and they ask for my driver's
license. Well, I forgot I took it out of that bag and put
it in another one. Donald fussed and he fussed. But they
let us in because they knew Donald.
At the reception, you had a certain time to take
pictures. We were in line and the President and Mrs. Obama
were standing there ready to take a picture with Donald
and me. Well, I took with me a picture of Mrs. Dorothy
Inghram who lives in California, where I live now. Mrs.
Inghram is 106 years old. She was the first African
American teacher in the area, the first principal, the
first superintendent, and they named a library after her.
She is still sharp. She had a birthday last November and I
was there. She still gets around in a wheelchair
sometimes. She is such a wonderful person. So, I was
telling all of this to Mrs. Obama while we're supposed to
be taking a picture. Donald was just hitting my arm so
that I would stop talking. I had a little package with
Mrs. Inghram's autobiography and a picture of her and I
was getting ready to hand it to Mrs. Obama but the Secret
Service took it out of my hand. Donald said, ``Kathryn''
and President Obama said, ``Donald, you know how sisters
are.''
I met one of the President's staffers and she gave me
her card to follow up. I called her and she sent Mrs.
Inghram a picture of the First Family and a letter
congratulating her on her 106th birthday anniversary.
I just wanted to thank you all for coming. Donald is my
little brother. When he called me and while we were at the
reception, he said this might be the last time going to
the White House.
I didn't know whether he meant it was the last time with
President Obama--I pray that he gets reelected--or whether
he meant that it was his last time going to the White
House since he'd always go and I would say ``you never
take me.'' Donald had a lot of friends, men friends, lady
friends, and staffers. He would always take somebody else.
I know that a few of you are here today who went to the
White House with him.
I'm privileged and honored to have gone with him and to
take a beautiful picture with the President and Mrs.
Obama. I also have a beautiful picture with you, Mr.
Clinton. It is on my bedroom mirror. And I'm glad you
remembered my name because a lot of people always forget
my name. They always forget that Donald had a sister.
This is my son, Craig. I told him that I was going to
speak and pray that I would not cry. I feel great. I feel
this is a celebration of Donald's life and I appreciate
everybody for being here.

Craig A. Stanley, nephew. Thank you, Mother.
First, giving honor to God, who's the head of my life.
I'm going to be brief, Uncle Bill.
As Christians, we hold out hope up until the last minute
for a miracle, so, up until the last minute, I didn't
believe that he was going to be leaving us. Even the way I
saw him, I couldn't accept it until I got a call that
night and then I got a call that morning from my sister. I
knew based on the call that night and the call that
morning that my uncle had transitioned.
I had very little time to really be sorry about his
passing because immediately the thought came to my mind
that he's there with Martin Luther King, Uncle Bill! You
know? And he's there with Sojourner Truth, right? And he
can even stop and tell Carter G. Woodson about your bill,
Uncle Bill, and how we're trying to get African American
history included in the history of New Jersey.
So, I had so little time to grieve, but that's a good
thing because I know he's in a better place.
I thank God for blessing me by placing me in such a
phenomenal position to be influenced by my uncles. The
fact is that my story could be repeated hundreds of times
by hundreds of young Newark kids. I was recruited by one
of the many high school fraternities that the Congressman
started when he was a teacher in the 1960s and 1970s. Of
course it was automatic that I would be involved with the
YMCA Youth and Government Program. That's a youth model
legislature program. I ran for president of the senate. I
wasn't victorious, but I got my bill passed after making
compelling speeches in both houses. We had a rule that you
could go into the other house; even if you were a senator,
you could go and speak in the assembly. That's why we were
able to do it, Madame Speaker.
The point is I often tell my students that that is when
I realized that being a legislator might be something I
wanted to do. I'm currently the director of the Consortium
for Pre-College Education at NJIT and we get kids ready to
graduate from high school and to be very successful in
college. We work with middle and high school students.
Youth and Government is where I found out the importance
of government. It crystallized for me there, and I
realized I could do this. The Youth and Government Program
is almost exclusively comprised of suburban students.
Unfortunately, a lot of urban kids don't have the
wherewithal do to it. My uncle, Donald Payne, made it
available to hundreds of urban kids.
I was able to complete my senior year of high school as
an exchange student in Switzerland because of Congressman
Payne. But the bottom line is that he didn't just impact
my life, he impacted thousands of youths. And it wasn't
just the fact that he impacted their lives but many of
them are impacting lives of other students. So, it's not
just the thousands that he impacted; not just the work
that he's done but the work that he did is being repeated
not by multiplication but exponentially. That's what makes
his life an epic life!
Finally, I just want to say to my Uncle Bill who is, as
he said himself, Uncle Donald was the nice one--the one
who Reverend Jefferson says that I remind him of--and then
there is Uncle Billy, the other uncle.
The fact of the matter is that I love them both
tremendously and the fact of the matter is that Uncle
Donald would have been kicking and screaming if he thought
we were doing this for him over the last 3 days. He would
say ``This is not me, I don't want this, and you can't do
this, no, this is not me.'' But you know what? Then Uncle
Billy would say, ``Don, you sat with kings, you're one of
the few people in the world who can sit with the freedom
fighter and the president of the same country and be
respected by both.'' And then, true to form, my Uncle
Donald would acquiesce and say, ``okay,'' to keep the
peace, right Uncle? Right Ma? And so he would go along
with it.
As a result of Uncle Bill's efforts, I thank you Donald
Payne, Jr., my cousin, and Wanda and Nicole, for allowing
us to send this hero off in a way that is appropriate and
befitting of the man.
Thank you and thank all of you.

Jack Payne, grandson. Jesus comforts His disciples.

John 14:1-3 (New Testament)
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God,
believe also in Me.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it
were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a
place for you.
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again
and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may
be also.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.008

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] T3300.009

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF

THE HONORABLE

DONALD M. PAYNE
New Jersey's 10th District

JULY 16, 1934-MARCH 6, 2012

Statuary Hall
United States Capitol
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
11:00 a.m.
``When I was very young, I came across a book of poetry
from my father. I will never forget a quote from that book
that read, `A father wants his son to be a better,
brighter man than he.' I always remembered that as I grew
up. Among the many lessons my father taught me, he taught
me that in whatever I do, to be the best at it--to work
hard, to always be respectful, to be proud of what I do.
This has made me a better person.''
--The Honorable Donald M. Payne
Order of Service

Prelude
United States Army String Quartet

Presentation of the Colors
United States Capitol Police Ceremonial Unit

National Anthem
SFC Leigh Ann Hinton, United States Army Band Soloist

Welcome
The Honorable John Boehner, Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives

Invocation
The Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, S.J., Chaplain of the
United States House of Representatives

Tributes
The Honorable Donna Christensen, United States House
of Representatives
The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, United States House of
Representatives
The Honorable Lynn Woolsey, United States House of
Representatives
The Honorable Chris Smith, United States House of
Representatives

Musical Selection
``The Wind Beneath My Wings''
Mr. Anthony Harrington, Soloist

Family Reflection
The Honorable Donald M Payne, Jr., son of the
Honorable Donald M. Payne
Mr. Jack D. Payne, grandson of the Honorable Donald
M. Payne
Mr. William D. Payne, brother of the Honorable Donald
M. Payne

Tributes
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader of the
United States House of Representatives
The Honorable Frank Lautenberg, United States Senate
The Honorable Joe Biden, Vice President of the United
States
The Honorable John Boehner, Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives

Benediction
The Reverend Dr. David Jefferson, Sr., Metropolitan
Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey
The Honorable

DONALD M. PAYNE
July 16, 1934-March 6, 2012

Immediately following today's memorial service,

the Payne family will receive guests in the Rayburn Room.

Speaker John Boehner. Good morning and welcome to the Old
Hall of the House. Thank you for joining us to celebrate
the life of the Honorable Donald M. Payne, Representative
from the State of New Jersey.
With us today are members of Representative Payne's
family, as well as many colleagues and friends, all
gathered just steps from the Chamber where he served with
great distinction.
Just as the House is the body closest to the people, it
is a body of people who are close-knit. The loss of one is
felt by all. That is particularly true in the case of this
distinguished gentleman from New Jersey.
This morning, we will hear of a man who grew up in
humble circumstances and devoted himself to lifting up
others, whether they lived just down the block in Newark's
North Ward or thousands of miles away in South Africa.
We will hear of a believer who rewrote the book on what
it means to be a public servant. Don Payne never settled
for being a sympathetic ear or a helping hand. He immersed
himself in the plight of those he sought to help, glimpsed
a better future, and gave his all to see it through.
We will hear of a teacher who passed on his passion with
such commitment that the great John Lewis would say Don's
heart ``was big enough to serve all humankind.''
Through Don Payne's story, we see how much we are
capable of, and how much we have left to do. So we are
again drawn to that line in Luke: ``to whom much is given,
much is expected.'' Each of us has been enriched by Don
Payne's example, and we must be expected to honor it with
service and sacrifice.
God bless his family and God bless all of you for being
here.

Reverend Patrick J. Conroy. God of heaven and earth, the
work of Your hands is made known in Your bountiful
creation and in the lives of those who faithfully live
their lives in service and in Your grace.
Today we especially remember the life and work of our
departed brother, Donald Milford Payne, trusting Your
promise of everlasting life and love.
We remember his 40 years of service in elected office.
In his 12th term in Congress You called him to Yourself.
His voice on behalf of the millions who suffer on the
continent of Africa, and for so many here at home, will be
sorely missed. May his example give courage to those of us
who continue on, to similarly dedicate our lives and our
energies for the service of so many in need of a champion.
Comfort those who mourn, most especially his family, but
also his lifelong friends, and the many people who
remember Donald as a man of stature and position, who
never lost sight of his call to service of others.
Donald's Bethlehem Baptist Congregation of Newark, and
his Roman Catholic alma mater Seton Hall University, can
both be proud of this faithful son who answered the call
of his Master to serve others, and now intercedes for us
all in God's presence. Eternal rest grant unto him, O
Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Amen.

Representative Donna Christensen. It's hard getting used
to Donald Payne not being around. We may never get used to
it and I hope we don't.
No more, ``Hey Girl, where you been?'' or ``Hey Girl,
what've you been up to?,'' as only Donald could ask.
But what will always be with us is what Donald, always
the teacher, taught us through his life and service.
Teaching was obviously his first love and he never left
it when he came to Washington--from his work to close
education gaps on the Committee on Education and the
Workforce, to the many young people from all over our
country and world that he mentored, in and outside of his
office, on street corners or in classrooms--I especially
remember his South Africa fellows--to his commitment to
the interns and fellows--training the next generation of
leaders--as he led the CBC Foundation to understand that
this was its important core mission.
As much as he was involved in the life of Africa, its
struggles, and its victories--trusted counsel to rebels as
much as Presidents--his efforts on behalf of Caribbean
development and peace in Ireland--he was still never far
from his district to which he also gave his all and where
he was so much loved.
His commitment to global health had its beginning in
those major health events he held in Newark. I would
always join the New Jersey and New York folks, and it was
wonderful to see Donald in his element, and to be a part
of bringing health care information and services to the
thousands who came. He believed in and respected this
institution and its rules and traditions and taught all of
us who served with him to do the same--or else! He was a
loyal and loving friend who was always there when you
called and even when you didn't, but he also didn't mind
ripping into you to keep you on the straight and narrow.
I was privileged as well as burdened to be one of the
few that Donald told of his illness, but he did so well
that we--even I--were lulled into thinking he would beat
his illness and he did for a long time. Through ups and
downs, therapies, and adverse reactions, he kept going
like an Energizer bunny here, at home, at the Foundation,
across the country and abroad. I don't know how he did it.
So what did Congressman Donald Payne teach us? That you
can and have an obligation to do it all; that we must
serve all of humanity even beyond the best of our ability
and capacity with courage but humility and with
determination--quiet when possible, but to also go
``Newark'' as our Chair terms it, when the situation
demands; to never let anyone or anything stand in the way
of living life the fullest and giving your all until you
have nothing more to give.
Donald Payne gave his all to his family, his friends,
his colleagues, his country, the continent of Africa, the
Caribbean, and the world, and so he will always be with us
in that special part of himself he shared with each of us
so selflessly. So we can say as we gather here today for
this memorial, thank you Donald Payne, my colleague, my
teacher, and my friend.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver. It falls to me, as chair
of the Congressional Black Caucus, to speak a few words
about our friend and colleague, Donald Payne.
He was indulgent with his family, intolerant toward
injustice, invisible during credit-taking time,
incorruptible in a city of temptation and inextinguishable
as a human spirit who is much loved.
Now I am compelled to utter something that is
counterintuitive. Washington, DC, is a city of heroes.
Yes, I challenge the late-night comedians and mid-day
commentators. Washington, DC, is a city of heroes.
This is the city of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson,
Roosevelt and Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Reagan.
This is the city where leaders have gathered since 1790
to create the most democratic republic in world history.
This is the city that attracted courageous leaders who
slammed slavery into the junkpile of days gone by.
The leaders of Washington suffered from and eventually
stabilized the scariest economic downturn in world
history.
It was from this city that the will was harvested to win
not one but two world wars.
With civil rights leaders at the forefront, Jim Crow was
liquidated legislatively in Washington, DC.
Donald Payne sowed seeds of civility and thus enjoyed a
bountiful harvest of good will from all sides.
This is the city where in 1983 Ronald Reagan and Tip
O'Neill bandaged Social Security and added two decades to
its solvency.
The forceful but civil words Donald Payne spoke in these
Hallowed Halls were short to speak but their echoes are
endless.
Heroes in Washington, DC, are made by the men and women
who, win or lose, and at no small risk to themselves,
place their name on ballots for a place in the People's
House.
Donald Payne was a hero, he defeated a hero to get here
and once here, he remained true to his ideals and beliefs.
Donald Payne was a hero because he never landed on the
evening news because of caustic comments.
He is a hero because he forced congressional attention
on Africa.
He became a hero because in a time filled with hot air,
he taught us to say nothing often.
He is a hero because he won more Washington battles with
his ears than his mouth.
He is a hero because his life was measured not by its
duration but by its donation.
John Wesley, who is credited with creating the
Foundation, said, ``Our people die well.''
''Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, They rest
from their labor and their works do follow them.''
At the funeral of former Soviet Leader, Leonid Brezhnev,
his widow, without the knowledge of the Soviet leadership
or the KGB, stood motionless by her husband's coffin until
a few seconds before it was closed. Then just as the
soldiers touched the lid, the former Soviet leader's widow
performed an act of great courage; she reached down and
made the sign of the cross on her husband's chest.
She did what she was not supposed to do. But she had
hopes for another life for her husband, another life
represented by Jesus Christ. She was asking for mercy for
her husband.
I realize that I am not supposed to do anything
religious at this service. But I do as Donald did, believe
in life in another realm.

Representative Lynn Woolsey. Thank you, Mister Speaker. I
am honored to be here to pay tribute to a man I loved and
respected--a friend for life--and a mentor.
To his family we say thank you for sharing your father,
father in-law, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather
with us. He was a busy legislator--in Washington, DC, in
his district, and around the world, but nobody meant more
to him than his family. He was so proud of you.
Some have said that Donald Payne was greeted in heaven
by Martin Luther King, Jr., and the like, but I believe he
was greeted by his sweet mother and his lovely wife, both
of whom left him far too early in his life. Now, I believe
he is in a ``better place.''
When I came to Congress I couldn't have asked for a
better mentor, a public school teacher, someone kind and
smart. We served on committees together where I benefited
from his wisdom and experience--because he was a man who
knew what public service is.
He described himself as ``a mild-mannered man'' but he
was also tenacious and dedicated. No one--and I mean no
one--worked harder to bring peace and democracy around the
world.
He knew he could not have been successful without his
great supportive staff. He knew you are the best. Nor
could he have achieved the reputation of a true statesman
and humanitarian without his constant ``Energizer bunny''
drive and determination that stayed with him through the
diagnosis of his illness until the end.
Nobody has fought harder with an iron will and physical
strength not to give in, because he had so much left to
do. In his absence, it's up to us to do it for him, to
follow his lead, to continue the work that mattered so
much to him.
That is our promise to you, Donald--because we love you
and miss you. We thank you for making the world a better
place because you were in it.

Representative Chris Smith. In the ensuing weeks since Don
Payne's untimely passing, I, along with all who knew and
deeply respected him, keep expecting to hear his gentle
voice admonishing us to care more and to do more for those
trapped in poverty or suffering from devastating disease.
Donald Payne was an extraordinary man who dedicated his
entire life to public service; a man who made a
significant difference in the world, in his constituency
in New Jersey. Many people that he touched know and
remember his legacy as a great treasure.
Don Payne worked across party lines to combat the HIV/
AIDS pandemic and to mitigate the loss of life and
morbidity from tuberculosis and malaria on the
subcontinent of Africa.
He cosponsored the Sudan Peace Act and worked tirelessly
to end the genocides in both South Sudan and Darfur.
I know first hand how much he truly cared and how hard
he worked for peace and reconciliation in war-ravaged
nations. I served as ranking member of the Africa
Subcommittee when he chaired it, and more recently until
his passing, he served as mine. In our subcommittee, he
never shied away from asking the tough questions, but
always did so in a way that demonstrated his earnest
desire to find durable solutions to vexing and seemingly
insurmountable problems.
He was a joy to work with.
At his funeral, dozens of family members, friends, and
political leaders extolled Don Payne's innate goodness and
accomplishments. The outpouring was, in a word,
overwhelming.
President Clinton was there and talked about Donald
Payne as a peacemaker, and said, '' Better to reconcile
than to resent.''
Governor Christie said that, ``As we celebrate his life
today and as we say goodbye, we thank him for his gentle
grace.''
His niece, Lauren, said, ``I can go to any part of the
world and he would be known there. I think it's wonderful,
just amazing.''
His son, Don Jr., reminded everyone, ``Just think of all
the things he did for us, without ever asking for anything
back.''
Don Payne's ability to care and to do for others while
expecting nothing whatsoever in return is indeed rare and
it's a precious virtue. His example of lifelong selfless
generosity inspires us all to be doers of good deeds
without any thought of recognition or reward.
The House has lost a distinguished friend and a
distinguished colleague in the gentleman from New Jersey.
On behalf of our delegation, I say to the family, we
deeply miss him. On behalf of Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and
Howard Berman, chairman and ranking member of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, we deeply miss him. And on behalf of
the entire Congress--he is missed.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Thank you very much Mr.
Speaker. Thank you for arranging for this beautiful
ceremony today in honor of Donald Payne. Thank you so much
for bringing us together in such a beautiful way.
To Donald's family, I hope it is a comfort to you that
so many people share your grief and are praying for you at
this sad time. And that Donald is being honored in so many
different ways. He was in life and now with his passing.
The fact that the President of the United States, Bill
Clinton, and Members of President Obama's Cabinet were
present, with our Assistant Leader, Mr. Clyburn, at his
funeral. The fact that we are under the dome of the
Capitol of the United States and the Vice President of the
United States is here to sing the praises of Donald Payne.
As well as an outpouring from his colleagues in the House
and in the Senate. I hope that is a comfort to you.
I just want to share with you a couple other tributes,
that may not be well known to many of you here. On March
19, when we observed St. Patrick's Day because it was on a
Saturday, and so, we observed it on Monday, there was a
big dinner--the American-Ireland Fund Dinner. Huge dinner.
Hundreds of people turned out. The Prime Minister, the
Taoiseach of Ireland was there. When our Richie Neal
spoke, as did also Peter King, Richie devoted his entire
comments to Donald Payne. In this big Irish festival there
was a huge [photo shown]--as big as the wall--of Donald
Payne, and the crowd cheered wildly as both Mr. King, but
especially, Richie, spoke about what he did to help the
people of Northern Ireland. Wasn't it a beautiful tribute,
[Mr. Vice President] Joe [Biden]? It was beautiful.
(Applause.)
That was a couple of weeks, as we know, after his
passing.
I want to tell you about an incident that happened a few
years ago. We were on a delegation that Donald helped
arrange and lead to Darfur and to Africa. It was very
emotional for all of us. But as with anything you did with
Donald, you were better prepared when you went, better
received when you got there, and better able to help when
you left. Whether it was the alleviation of poverty, the
eradication of disease, promotion of peace, ending
violence, protecting human rights, you name it. For this
trip we were going to Darfur, Sudan, and other countries
in Africa. Donald helped arrange everything, but when we
were going to Khartoum, he said, ``I'm not going.''
Remember this Max, he said: ``I'm not going.'' And I said,
``But why, you're our leader.'' He said, ``They're not
going to tell you the truth, I already know that. I'm not
going to give them that opportunity. But you have to find
out for yourselves.'' Which we did. And we went on that
trip and then we visited--it wasn't just about visiting
Heads of State and Parliamentarians, it was about visiting
people in HIV/AIDS clinics, to see the care they were
receiving, about visiting women working in sweatshops. It
was about learning about the country.
I wanted to tell you about this one incident because I'm
reminded of it today, when so many people are singing the
praises of Donald Payne, and I'm referencing people
singing the praises of Donald Payne who aren't even here
today. We were in Liberia--Mr. Clyburn, you remember this
very well--we're in Liberia and there was a big
celebration of dedicating a library to Congressman Donald
Payne for his leadership. We were there, and I am telling
you it was very hot. They gave us dashikis to wear, so it
was even hotter. Every person that spoke, and believe me,
the leadership of the world turned out--that was after
President Sirleaf Johnson had already honored Donald and
the rest of us at an event, but all of the focus was
always on Donald. Anyway, we went to this library
dedication at the AME College in Monrovia, it's boiling
hot, everybody turned to honor Donald, long list of
speakers. And every person who spoke, Mr. Vice President--
you'll recognize this Mr. Speaker, every person who spoke
said what an honor it was to be on the program with
everybody who spoke before. (Laughter.)
You've been to those things.
Until, you know, we were like 19, 20 speakers. We got
halfway through and one gentleman, distinguished gentleman
got up, and he said, ``To all of the speakers who spoke
before me, and who will come next, honors granted.'' It
brought out the biggest smile on Donald Payne's face. The
picture that you see on the program, those twinkly eyes,
that beautiful smile, that is obviously a family trait.
They wanted to outdo each other in praising him, but
acknowledging everyone there too.
He was so wonderful and there is so much to be said
about him. It's really a personal loss to so many of us.
When a colleague passes away, it's sad, it's a loss, in
that this is very personal with many Members. I just want
to recall, since Mr. Cleaver introduced the idea that we
can speak religiously here today, of a prayer that is
posted on a wall by a Presbyterian African Bishop in
Africa, and I think it applies to Donald very well. In the
prayer, the Bishop says: ``When at long last I will
happily go to meet my Maker, He will say to me, ``show me
your wounds.'' And if I have no wounds, I will say to him,
``I have no wounds.'' And He will say to me, ``Was there
nothing worth fighting for?'' That was Donald. He fought
for poor people, he fought for people all over the world--
we mentioned Africa, that's well known, we mentioned
Northern Ireland, but all over the world. This whole
hemisphere. He took on--this is hard, to make that fight.
He was challenging the status quo, especially to end
violence, promote peace. That's why it was my honor to
name him to be our Representative to the United Nations
General Assembly. One time, is the way it goes. But for
Donald, it was two times. Because his contribution was so
valuable.
We say it from time to time, but it's never truer than
today, God truly blessed America with the life,
leadership, and service of our precious Donald Payne.
Thank you.

Senator Frank Lautenberg. Thank you, Leader Pelosi. It's
an honor to represent the Senate in paying tribute to our
friend, Donald Payne.
Congressman Payne was a humble man of conscience and
conviction. I was always struck by Donald's soft-spoken
demeanor. I think many here will agree--this made him a
rarity in politics. Donald didn't need to raise his
voice--his ideas were powerful enough.
For more than two decades, Congressman Payne served New
Jersey in Congress with distinction, but his leadership
impacted lives far beyond New Jersey's borders.
Donald was an expert on foreign relations. He led
efforts to restore democracy and human rights in countries
from Northern Ireland to Sudan. Congressman Payne worked
around the globe to end famine, disease, and genocide.
At home, Donald was a trailblazer. In 1988, during his
first campaign for the House, he told a reporter, ``I want
to be a role model for the kids I talk to on the street
corners. I want them to see there are no barriers to
achievement.'' Make no mistake--Donald Payne achieved this
goal. He inspired young people to enter public service.
Just look at his proud family members who are here today.
Many have followed him into careers in public service.
We miss Congressman Donald Payne and we mourn his
absence from our lives. Donald may be gone, but his legacy
will not be forgotten for a very long time to come.

Vice President Joe Biden. Mr. Speaker, thank you very
much. (Applause.) Thank you so very much.
To the Payne family, all of us--many of us have been
through what you're going through, and we know there's not
a darn thing any of us can say to fill that sense of that
empty void you feel, that hollowness in your chest.
But as the former Speaker said, I hope you take some
solace from knowing that everyone else knows what you
knew; everyone else knows what you felt; everyone else
knows what your father, your grandfather, your brother,
and so forth, what he was made of. I hope that gives you
some solace. And so I hope that solace is something that
will bring that healing quicker rather than it has already
brought it.
I actually envy my colleagues who spoke. I envy them
because they obviously got to work with Donald every day,
and they got to know him even better than I did. They got
more direct benefit from being with a gentle, honorable
man--a man who, in my experience, and I've spent a lot of
time on trains with him and a lot of time talking to him
as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, but a guy
who is probably as that old saying goes, he's what the
doctor ordered, what we need badly here in Washington.
It's not just what he did. It's not just how deeply he
felt about the causes he fought for; a lot of you feel as
deeply. A lot of you, Democrats and Republicans, feel the
same way. But the thing I admired most about him was--I
was reading the quote--and it said, ``When I was a young
man, I came across a book of poetry from my father. I'll
never forget the quote from the book, a father wants his
son to be better and brighter than he. I always remembered
that when I grew up.''
My dad used to have an expression, he said, ``You know
you're a success when you turn and look at your son or
daughter and realize they turned out better than you.''
He's joked about it, but a lot of us as fathers know we're
successes because we look at our children. Your dad had
that privilege of being able to know.
But I think there's a reason why. The distinguishing
characteristic for me, someone who knew him well but not
nearly as well as many of you, was that he had another
trait that my dad thought was the single most valuable
thing beyond courage that you could possess, and that was
that Donald comported himself with dignity, but more
important, he accorded dignity to everybody else.
Everybody else.
I remember him saying to me when I--just since I've been
Vice President, saying--I was quoting my dad saying a job
is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about dignity.
It's about respect. It's about your sense of yourself.
It's about your place in the community. It's about who you
are.
I'll never forget Donald calling me about, by the way,
Somalia, recalling hearing me say that. And I went back
and asked my staff to look up what I thought I remembered
Donald talking about. And Donald's--the ability of Donald
to comport himself the way he did in a pretty increasingly
rough environment for both parties, Donald said, ``I think
there's a lot of dignity in being able to achieve things
without having to create rupture.''
Sometimes in our town--and, Congressman, that was an
eloquent presentation you made--but sometimes in this
great town with a lot of great heroes, we go through
phases where we sometimes confuse dignity with weakness.
We sometimes confuse dignity with a lack of resolve.
But the magic of Donald, the magic of your brother, your
father, your grandfather, was no one ever confused it with
him. He was pretty remarkable. I served in the Senate for
36 years. I've had the great pleasure of knowing an awful
lot of great women and men. As was pointed out when I left
the Senate after being elected the 7th time, only 13
people in history served longer than me, which is supposed
to give me solace, but it made me feel very bad.
(Laughter.) But the point of the fact is very few people
can pull off what Don pulled off. I don't know what it is.
I don't know what that thing was that he had. As I said, a
lot of people have his passion. I know a lot of you--
Republicans and Democrats--bleed for your constituency,
have done incredible things. But he had something special.
There was a place where--there is a psalm that says,
``To the upright, there rises light in darkness. He is
gracious, he is full of compassion, and he is righteous.''
Donald was upright. Donald was a man who was always--to my
experience--always gracious, whether it was talking to the
conductor on Amtrak or being with him in his district,
which I was on several occasions--that's where I first met
you--or whether it was in God-forsaken places in Africa,
where I might add and no one has mentioned, it took some
courage for him to go and he went.
He put his life in jeopardy on some of those trips. It
wasn't automatic. It wasn't always Donald being greeted
with open arms. I can think of two occasions where his
aircraft was greeted with weapons fire at his aircraft.
So you know--but the interesting thing about Donald is
``to the upright,'' as the psalm says, ``here rises light
in darkness.'' It not only enlightened him, but it was
amazing how much light he brought to the darkest recesses
of his district and of the world.
It's been mentioned here a number of times, and I
apologize for repeating it, but I think it's important
it's mentioned here that Donald was always a teacher. He
was the kind of teacher a lot of us wish we had when we
were in school, a teacher who never lectured you, a
teacher who demanded a lot of you, a teacher who knew what
you needed and was able to help you where he could, but
expected you to act. That was everything about him.
There's a great phrase about being a teacher. And
whether it was Donald going after increasing Pell grants
or cutting loan interest rates or all the other things he
did in his district--there is a great expression, which
I'll end with and it was by Henry Adams. ``A teacher
affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence
stops.'' A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell
where his influence stops. We can say all we know about
Donald to the family, but we don't know--we really don't
know--where his influence stops.
I'll close by reaching to my Irish roots, because Donald
helped Teddy Kennedy, helped Chris Dodd, helped a lot of
other people in this place, worked so hard on the Northern
Ireland accords. His compassion was not cabined by race or
color or ethnicity. And the highest compliment any
Irishman can accord to anyone, period, is to say, he was a
good man. Donald Payne was a good man. (Applause.)
LETTER FROM AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND

Dear family members of Congressman Payne,
I was very sorry to learn of Congressman Payne's passing
and on my own behalf and that of the Embassy and also on
behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, I extend
sincere condolences to you at this difficult time.
Congressman Payne's contribution to the peace process in
Northern Ireland was significant. Whether through his
regular highlighting of injustice, his numerous visits to
Ireland, or his many exchanges with local parties in
support of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, his was a voice
which at all times recalled the importance of human rights
as a key element in the quest for lasting peace and
reconciliation. I am also mindful of Congressman Payne's
more recent support for ongoing development aid work in
South Africa.
In Congressman Payne, Ireland has lost a true friend and
New Jersey and America a loyal servant. You and his many
friends and colleagues are in our thoughts and prayers.

Yours Sincerely,

Michael Collins,
Ambassador.