Local Officials Remember Congressman Donald Payne

Statement from South Orange Following the Death of Congressman Donald Payne:

It is with great sadness that Village officials, staff and residents learned of the passing of U.S. House Representative Donald Payne.  New Jersey’s first African American Representative, Congressman Payne was well known in South Orange as a compassionate, generous legislator who always made time for his constituents, and was a strong advocate for the Village regarding legislation, funding and assistance with a variety of critical projects.

While Congressman Payne is recognized nationally for his endeavors in education, civil rights, AIDS treatment and prevention in Africa, and his support of the Northern Ireland peace process, closer to home he has been known as an always-accessible Representative who not only responded when asked for assistance, but went above and beyond by reaching out to South Orange officials when it was within his capacity to help in ways we were not aware.  Either publicly or without need for recognition, Congressman Payne worked tirelessly to do whatever possible to support his district and his constituents.  A graduate of Seton Hall University, he was a creative legislator and problem solver, but also a humble man who never forgot his roots.  His passing is a tremendous loss to South Orange and its residents.

We offer our hearts and our sympathies to his loved ones, who suffer the greatest loss with the passing of a kind, caring and genuine man who unquestionably enriched their lives in untold ways.  While his congressional seat will surely be filled by a capable legislator, he is irreplaceable.  He will always be remembered as a cheerful, down-to-earth, but also consummate professional who represented South Orange and surrounding municipalities in ways too long to list.  Words cannot express how much Congressman Payne contributed to our Village, and how greatly he will be missed.

South Orange Village President Alex Torpey:

Our thoughts are with the Payne family today as we reflect on the many years Congressman Donald Payne dedicated to improving the lives of those around him, courageously serving for over a decade as New Jersey's first black Congressman and a progressive voice for all people.

South Orange Trustee Janine Bauer:

Don Payne was a leader in civil rights, transportation, education, opportunity and job creation. He was a man of the people.

He kept our conscience during undeclared wars whether involving the US in Iraq, or elsewhere, such as Darfur. He believed in diplomacy. He carried on the proud tradition of that seat in Congress after assuming it from Congressman Rodino, of Watergate / Judiciary Committee fame. South Orange will always be in Rep. Payne's debt for his help and guidance.

South Orange Trustee Deborah Davis Ford:

I’m truly saddened by the passing of Congressman Payne.  Don was a great man.  He leaves a powerful legacy of helping the less fortunate.  He not only focused on the needs of those who lacked the financial wellbeing and political power in New Jersey, but he fought for people all over the world.  Whether it be in Ireland or Africa, Congressman Payne looked out for those who needed help.

He was a great man of exceptional dignity and admired by all.  He wasn’t just a congressman for African Americans, but he was a congressman for every person in his district.  No matter your ethnic roots, Congressman Payne fought for everyone who needed a voice. 

He was truly a congressman for all.

Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban:

Our Seton Hall community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman Donald Payne. Congressman Payne was a model educator and public servant who fervently believed in the value that good government could provide to the citizens of his beloved 10th District and Americans everywhere.

Congressman Payne remained a greatly involved and dedicated alumnus since graduating Seton Hall in 1957.  He served on numerous boards and committees and was an unwavering, ever-positive presence at so many of our men’s basketball games.  He particularly enjoyed attending home games the past few seasons at the Prudential Center in his beloved Newark. 

We will be forever grateful for all he did to secure significant financial support for our state-of-the-future Science and Technology Center, ensuring that Seton Hall will continue, for generations to come, to educate servant leaders in scientific fields so important to our nation’s prosperity and health.

My family and I, along with the entire Seton Hall community, extend our sincerest condolences to the entire Payne family as we hold Don and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie:

Mary Pat and I offer our condolences to the Payne family on the loss of Congressman Payne. He was a leader with great compassion for every person he had the honor of representing. He was a great role model for every person in New Jersey who aspires to public service. He was a true gentlemen and we considered him a friend.

State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey:

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Congressman Payne and my sincerest sympathies go out to his entire family.

His contributions to others reached every level imaginable.  He was a tried and true son of Essex County, but his public service had a lasting impact on the residents of New Jersey, the citizens of the United States and countless others around the world.

His early career as an educator helped him understand, as he would often say, that education is the key to success.  What I was struck most by was his deep and abiding belief in the power of education to change lives.

Congressman Payne was a transformative figure and he will be sorely missed

State Assemblyman John McKeon:

New Jersey mourns the loss of a historic leader and a dedicated public servant in Congressman Donald Payne. He wil be remembered for his tireless advocacy for the poor and his belief in peace, justice and equality for all;

His heroic work to shed light on the genocide in Darfur saved countless lives who will never know his name;

This was the essence of his leadership, which provided a stunning example for all who aspire to public service;

Whether advocating for our mutual constituents in the City of Orange and the Township of Maplewood or providing his unique brand of humble guidance to international leaders, Congressman Payne was a role model to me and all who will follow him;

As I reflect on his legacy and example, my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Payne family

State Senator Richard Codey:

Today the world lost a true global citizen, New Jersey lost an honored favorite son, and many of us lost a dear friend.

Donald Payne began his public service in the classrooms of Newark, and even as a leading member of Congress, never forgot where he came from. Improving the lives of Newark’s children, and ensuring that every child in every city is given the schooling and tools they need to succeed, drove his public life.

When war threatened the lives of innocent people in far-flung parts of the globe, Donald was never silent. He was a crusader for human rights, and a believer in the dignity of every person regardless of their station in life. From the halls of Congress to the United Nations, his efforts to promote democracy and human rights were unequalled by many.

He was larger than life, but never acted like it, and wherever there was oppression, he traveled there to help the oppressed. But even when work took him abroad, his heart was always in Essex County.

The Payne family should rightly be proud of Donald’s life and achievements, as we all are. As they grieve his loss, so do all of us who proudly stood alongside him for so many years.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr.:

As the first African American elected to represent New Jersey in the United States Congress, Donald Payne was a civil rights pioneer and trailblazer. He dedicated most of his professional life to serving the public, providing strong representation and working hard to improve his constituents’ quality of life. He also was an international figure who campaigned tirelessly for human rights and raised awareness about the human tragedies in Africa. Today is a sad day because we have lost a statesman, we have lost a gentleman and we have lost a friend.

United States Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.:

New Jersey has lost one of its greatest leaders in the fight for equality and fairness for all Americans, and one of the greatest advocates for families of the Garden State. Congressman Payne and I served the people of Montclair, South Orange and West Orange together, but we were aligned in so many other ways as well. I was proud to serve alongside him in the fight to keep our cities safer, to provide greater opportunities for our young people and to give all Americans access to quality affordable health care. Donald Payne was a true trailblazer – a champion for education and civil rights who sought to combat injustice all over the world. I will greatly miss my friend and brother. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May Donald Payne rest in peace.

 

United States Senator Frank Lautenberg:

Congressman Donald Payne was my good friend and a trailblazer in our state who opened the door for African Americans in New Jersey to excel in public service. Congressman Payne was so conscientious of people's lives and always focused on those who needed the most help. His passing is a loss for Newark and the people he represented and fought for in New Jersey, across the country and around the world. Donald Payne will be missed, but his work will not be forgotten and his legacy will live forever.