James Clyburn actually said...

He helped make real the possibility of our Nation's first African American President--and first African American Attorney General.

We are united by our gratitude--for Congressman Payne's enduring contributions, his many sacrifices, and his inspiring achievements.

He was a determined enemy: of poverty; of violence and cruelty toward children; of obstacles to prosperity; of war; and of human rights abus...

It was the work of a man using his position and his power to simply do the right thing.