Bennie Thompson: “I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick) for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, today, we mourn…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick) for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, today, we mourn the loss of Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., a thoughtful leader, a dear friend, a son of Newark who never forgot where he came from or who he served, a legislator whose kindness brought us together even during the most divisive political times. I had the privilege of serving alongside both Donald Paynes, but Donald Payne, Jr., served with me on the Homeland Security Committee during his entire tenure in Congress, and he achieved great things. When he came to the committee in 2013, the world had just come crashing down for parents in Newtown, Connecticut, whose children were gunned down at an elementary school. Donald Payne, Jr., a father of school-aged triplets, vowed to make schools safer in this country. It is because of him, because of his relentless advocacy, that the Department of Homeland Security is reporting to Congress on school security. Additionally, it is because of Donald Payne, Jr., who wrote the Homeland Security for Children's Act, that the Department of Homeland Security now must plan for children's unique needs during disasters. Donald Payne, Jr.'s legacy is making children safer. As we mourn together, let us celebrate together.…”