Washington, DC – (Tuesday, March 6, 2012) – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on the passing of Congressman Donald Payne:

“I’m saddened to learn about the passing of my colleague Congressman Donald Payne.  Congressman Payne lost his battle with cancer early this morning, and we in Congress lost an esteemed colleague.  Congressman Payne was a devoted public servant who used his position in Congress to advocate for those less fortunate— first as a teacher and later serving on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Congressman Payne was an advocate for children and worked to make college more affordable.  As the highest Ranking Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, he worked to promote human rights around the world and helped secure billions of dollars in foreign aid for treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

It is difficult to lose a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.  This news is a terrible loss for New Jersey and our Nation. Donald Payne was a valuable leader who dedicated his life to service and global advocacy for more than twenty years.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, staff, and constituents of the 10^th Congressional District of New Jersey.”

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. She is also the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas  that includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Turtle Creek,Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.