CBCF STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FOUNDATION CHAIR DONALD M. PAYNE

CBCF STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FOUNDATION CHAIR
DONALD M. PAYNE

WASHINGTON, DC – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) mourns the loss of its Chairman Donald M. Payne.  Rep. Payne was elected chair in 2010, but his relationship with the Foundation and its mission extends almost two decades.  He served as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1995-1996, and was serving his second term on the CBCF Board upon his election to chair. 

As a former public school teacher in Newark and Passaic New Jersey, Rep. Payne recognized the value and impact of educational opportunities. He often reminisced of how he worked his way through college and how he wanted to provide opportunities like the Foundation's internship, fellowship and scholarship programs so that students could concentrate on academics and take away some of the financial worry.

Rep. Payne has served in Congress since 1989. During his tenure, he became the ranking member on the Education and Workforce Committee to advocate on behalf of children, working families and senior citizens. While using self-depreciating humor about technology, early on he recognized that globalization  would set new boundaries and relationships throughout the world. As the highest ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, Rep. Payne was an early advocate on linking African-Americans with the Diaspora. He took great pride and pleasure in presenting issue forums and brain trust building on those relationships during the Foundation's Annual Legislative Conferences. Most recently he lead CBCF's Fellows in the first international community service project to build homes in South Africa.

Rep. Payne cared deeply about those he represented in the 10^th District, bringing Foundation resources to Newark to deal with building economic wealth and ending health disparities in his community. He once said "I want to be a Congressman to serve as a role model for the young people I talk to on the Newark street corners. I want them to see there are no barriers to achievement. I want to give them a reason to try."

We have lost a tireless public servant who embodied humanity, compassion and dignity for all. It has been our honor and privilege to have worked with him. Rep. Payne brought a wealth of knowledge of CBCF and of the issues in which we are engaged. As a former educator and later corporate official, Rep. Payne brought a unique perspective to the position. CBCF will carry on his mission to work for justice and opportunity for all. To share reflections, please post them at http://www.cbcfinc.org/tribute-rep-donald-m-payne/entry/add.html

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