I admire the people of Russia, especially those who are standing up for their civil rights.

In the interest of Russian democracy and the welfare of the Russian people it is our responsibility not to disengage from Russia.

My goal as a member of the United States House of Representatives is to do all that is possible to move the relationship toward the end of the spectrum that involves bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The U.S.-Russia relationship remains at the top of our foreign policy agenda where it had been for more than half a century.

It has more than two centuries for the United States to achieve the imperfect form of democracy by which we govern ourselves today.

He knew that he would also, once he won, become a role model, a role model for many a young boy who were growing up in Newark, New Jersey.

He really was American history, he was a history teacher, and I trust that American history is going to record his life as a great American patriot.

I have got to say in closing, Gregory Meeks would not be sitting on this back row in this Foreign Affairs Committee if it wasn't for Donald Payne.

I am here this evening to thank God for the life of Donald Payne--to thank God for a man who was focused, for a man who was a trailblazer, for a man who when he came to Congress knew what he wanted to do. People sometimes do not know what…

He knew what he was trying to accomplish. He knew that that was his mission.

Gregory Meeks would not be sitting on this back row in this Foreign Affairs Committee if it wasn't for Donald Payne.

I am devastated, a part of me, knowing that my friend Donald Payne will not be not only sitting right down a few seats from me, but able to get his advice.