On the recordApril 30, 2024
Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend and colleague Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick for yielding to me. We are here to honor the memory of a dear friend and colleague, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., a remarkable public servant and a true champion of justice, equality, and progress. I was honored to serve alongside him on the Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Donald Payne was not just a public servant. He was a force for change, a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of hope for the people of New Jersey and all Americans. He dedicated his career to fighting for racial justice and equal rights. He believed in a future where education was accessible to all, championing free college tuition and sustainable infrastructure that would benefit everyone. In Congress, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving as the ranking member and chairman of the critical subcommittees focused on transportation, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness. His commitment to improving public transportation, expanding voting rights, and addressing the urgent threat of climate change earned him respect and admiration from colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Beyond his legislative achievements, Congressman Payne was known for his unwavering dedication to the well-being of working families and those most vulnerable among us. He understood that progress is measured not only by the laws we pass, but by the lives we touch and uplift.…





