Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Congressman Donald Payne. As as public servant, Congressman Payne has consistently stood with the forgotten people and causes. He has championed their plight and advocated on their behalf, perhaps none more so than the long-suffering people of the southern Sudan. For years, Congressman Payne advocated for self-determination for the people of South Sudan, who had endured great hardship at the hands of the government in Khartoum. He was also the leading voice in urging States in the U.S. to divest from companies doing business in Sudan in light of the government's horrific human rights abuses. Congressman Payne was the sponsor of the congressional resolution calling attention to the horrors unfolding in Darfur, a resolution which was rightly labeled as ``tragedy,'' ``genocide.'' The list goes on and on. I had the honor of being with Congressman Payne in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2005 for the historic signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which marked the end of a brutal civil war between the north and the south which spanned 21 years and claimed the lives of more than 2 million people. Congressman Payne labored for years to see that day arrive. No one did more than Don Payne to bring about the new country, which is now the country of southern Sudan. He, fittingly, returned to South Sudan in July of 2011 to join the people of that land in celebrating their long-awaited independence, a fulfillment of the promise.…”