Rubén Hinojosa: “I rise with great sadness to pay tribute to and honor the life of Representative Donald Payne, an esteemed colleague and…”

“I rise with great sadness to pay tribute to and honor the life of Representative Donald Payne, an esteemed colleague and devoted public servant. Committed to social and economic justice, Representative Donald Payne spent his life helping the most vulnerable in America and abroad. During my tenure in Congress, I had the pleasure of serving with Congressman Donald Payne on the Education and Workforce Committee. As a former public school teacher, Congressman Payne understood the needs of students, parents, teachers, and educators and the value of a good education. As a senior member of the Education and Workforce Committee, Representative Payne worked tirelessly to expand educational opportunity for disadvantaged children and youth, and to ensure that all children had access to a quality education. Congressman Donald Payne was a true champion for American workers and the middle class, always fighting to ensure that workers had safe working conditions and family-sustaining wages. In the area of Foreign Affairs, Congressman Payne was known around the globe for his outstanding leadership in promoting peace and democracy in Africa. Representative Donald Payne will be greatly missed in this chamber. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his staff, and the people of New Jersey. Mr. LoBIONDO. Madam Speaker, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Congressman Donald Payne, who served New Jersey with distinction and honor for more than two decades.…”