http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/06/rep-donald-payne-new-jersey-dies-at-age-77/
Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey dies at age 77
Published March 06, 2012
| Associated Press
NEWARK, N.J. – Days before U.S. Rep. Donald Payne died of cancer, it
wasn't the phone calls of encouragement from presidents that cheered
him. It was when a Washington hospital orderly recognized the New
Jersey congressman as the only U.S. official to visit his village in
the African nation of Eritrea.
Hearing from the orderly how much the visit had meant, and knowing he
had made a difference in the lives of people struggling against
violence and poverty — from his native Newark, N.J., to sub-Saharan
Africa — was the reason why Donald Payne had dedicated his life to
public service, his brother William said Tuesday.
"He walked with kings, but never lost the common touch," William Payne said.
Donald Payne, the first black congressional member from New Jersey,
passed away Tuesday at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, N.J. He
was 77.
The 12-term member of the House had announced in February that he was
undergoing treatment for colon cancer and would continue to represent
his district. He was flown home to New Jersey on Friday from
Georgetown University Hospital as his health took a sudden turn for
the worse.
He was first elected in 1988 after twice losing to former Rep. Peter
Rodino, who retired after 40 years in Congress.
Payne, often considered one of the most progressive Democrats in the
state's delegation, was elected to a 12th term in 2010. He represented
the 10th District, which includes the city of Newark and parts of
Essex, Hudson and Union counties.
In Washington, he was remembered for his work as a defender of human
rights, both at home and abroad.
President Barack Obama, who ordered flags lowered in Payne's honor,
called him a "leader in US-Africa policy, making enormous
contributions towards helping restore democracy and human rights
across the continent."
Former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton called Payne a "force for peace and progress" in New Jersey
and throughout the world.
"His impact was immeasurable and his legacy will live on in the lives
he has touched," they said.
Payne was a member of House committees on education and foreign
affairs. He served as chairman of the House subcommittee on Africa,
and had traveled many times to the continent on foreign affairs
matters.
He was remembered Tuesday as one of the first U.S. officials to speak
out on the situation in Darfur and South Sudan.
"He was fearless in describing what was happening to people; he didn't
mince words;" said Faith McDonnell, a member of the Act for Sudan
coalition who worked with Payne on issues in the region. "This is a
huge loss to the people of Darfur, and for all marginalized people,
who I really regret won't have his voice and his helping hand the way
others did."
During an April 2009 trip, mortar shells were fired toward Mogadishu
airport as a plane carrying Payne took off safely from the Somali
capital. Officials at the time said 19 civilians were injured in
residential areas. Payne had met with Somalia's president and prime
minister during his one-day visit to Mogadishu to discuss piracy,
security and cooperation between Somalia and the United States.
He also had been the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and a
congressional delegate to the United Nations.
At home, he was remembered as a trailblazer for African-Americans, as
an advocate for the underprivileged, and as a gentleman.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker called him a "a humble hero who lived an
extraordinary life of contribution and distinction" and "a defender of
and advocate for the rights, liberties, equal opportunities, and
dignity of all people."
Born and raised in Newark, Payne came up through the ranks of Essex
County politics. He earned a bachelor's degree from Seton Hall
University in 1957 and taught in Newark schools for 15 years. He went
on to become an insurance executive and member of the Newark City
Council from 1982 until 1988.
It was his work with the YMCA — starting as a young volunteer at a
segregated storefront office in Newark and rising to become the
president of the national organization — that opened his eyes to the
wider world, according to his brother. He traveled to more than 80
countries as a member of the YMCA's international board before
becoming a congressman, his brother said. But Payne always remained as
firmly rooted in local politics and community concerns as he was in
raising awareness on issues from armed conflict to the AIDS epidemic
in Africa, his brother said.
"He was committed to causes that impacted on people who had no voice;
people who were forgotten by society," William Payne said. "My brother
had a great deal of compassion, and he stepped out on a lot of
unpopular causes."
Payne was a widower with three children and four grandchildren. His
son, Donald Payne Jr., is a Newark city councilman. Services haven't
been announced.
While Payne faced the prospect of a primary challenge from Newark
Councilman Ronald C. Rice, his death will open the field in the
heavily Democratic district.
Gov. Chris Christie's office said Tuesday that out of deference to the
congressman and his family they would not discuss whether the governor
would fill the seat immediately, or let it stand vacant until a
special election can be held, which has typically been done.
A public plaza between two government buildings in Newark now bears
Payne's name in tribute to his long career in public service.
___
Associated Press writer Andrew Miga in Washington contributed to this
report. DeFalco reported from Trenton.
___
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