Political Quotes

“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. And 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.…”