Donald Payne Jr, a US congressman from New Jersey, died on Wednesday, greater than two weeks after a coronary heart assault. He was 65.
Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey, paid tribute to his fellow Democrat, who he known as a good friend and “steadfast champion for the individuals” of his state.
“Together with his signature bow tie, massive coronary heart, and tenacious spirit, Donald embodied the easiest of public service,” Murphy mentioned.
“As a former union employee and toll collector, he deeply understood the struggles our working households face, and he fought valiantly to serve their wants, each single day.”
Payne had a coronary heart assault on 6 April. Taken to hospital in Newark, he didn’t regain consciousness.
He was first elected to Congress in 2012, succeeding his father, Donald Payne Sr, the primary Black congressman ever elected in New Jersey who additionally died in workplace.
Reporting Payne Jr’s loss of life, the New Jersey Globe mentioned he had “checked all of the containers for assist amongst progressive voters: he supported Medicare for All, the Inexperienced New Deal, racial justice, equal rights for all, reproductive freedom, public transportation, and free faculty tuition.”
The paper additionally saluted Payne’s work to fund clear ingesting water initiatives, with notable success in his personal metropolis, Newark, and his sponsorship of gun security laws.
Amongst Payne’s fellow Democrats in Congress, Joe Neguse of Colorado mentioned he was “devastated to be taught of the passing of my expensive good friend and colleague … an enormous, a real public servant whose kindness, good humor and dedication to his constituents knew no bounds”.
Jasmine Crockett, from Texas, mentioned Payne was “a progressive chief on transportation and infrastructure” and mentioned: “I be a part of his household, mates, and constituents in mourning an amazing man and fighter for the individuals of New Jersey.”
The Rev Al Sharpton, the New York-based civil rights chief, known as Payne “my good friend and brother for a few years”.
In his assertion, Governor Murphy mentioned: “It was my nice honour to work side-by-side with Donald to construct a stronger and fairer New Jersey, and we are going to maintain his reminiscence near our hearts as we construct upon the Payne household’s deep legacy of service in advocating for the communities they served so dearly.
“Donald’s love will reside on within the houses of his neighbors in Newark, who now have entry to protected ingesting water, and within the good-paying jobs he helped create for his brothers and sisters in labor. And it’ll reside on in his spouse Beatrice, and their three youngsters, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, who had been the pleasure of his life.
“Our heartfelt prayers are along with his household throughout this troublesome time.”
