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Donald Payne, advocate for democracy in Ethiopia, dead at 77

Posted on , Updated on by Negash

African-American Congressman Donald Payne was a great friend of Ethiopia, a relentless advocate for democracy and a permanent thorn on the side of the Zenawi regime.  Ethiopians in the New York-New Jersey area and throughout the United States always knew they could count on Congressman Payne to speak up for democracy and human rights in spite of the many pressures from the Ethiopian regime and its lobbyists.  Our thoughts and prayers go to his family.

Donald M. Payne, First Black Elected to Congress From New Jersey, Dies at 77

By Raymond Hernandez | New York Times

Representative Donald M. Payne of New Jersey, a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first black to be elected to Congress from New Jersey, died on Tuesday. He was 77.

The cause was complications from colon cancer, according to Mr. Payne’s office. He died at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. Mr. Payne had disclosed in February that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer but said that he would not take a leave of absence and that he planned to seek re-election because his doctors expected him to make a full recovery.

Mr. Payne was a low-key and unassuming lawmaker who nonetheless made a mark in a number of areas, including education and global affairs.

A former teacher, he played a role in advancing policies that sought to make college more affordable. For example, he led efforts in Congress to cut interest rates on Stafford loans for college students and increase the size of Pell Grants, need-based grants for college of as much as $5,500 a year.

Mr. Payne had a deep interest in global matters too. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he worked to promote democracy and protect human rights overseas. He was the author of legislation that sought to provide famine relief to Darfur and bring an end to the bloody conflict there. He was also a founder of the Malaria Caucus in Congress and helped secure billions of dollars in foreign aid for treating HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Donald Milford Payne was born July 16, 1934, in Newark. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he held a number of positions in the private sector before entering politics, including serving as an executive at Prudential Insurance and Urban Data Systems. He was also a national president of the YMCA.

But he developed a passion for politics early. In 1972, Mr. Payne was elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. A decade later, he won a seat on the Newark Municipal Council.

As early as 1974, Mr. Payne declared his intention to become New Jersey’s first black congressman, rather than run for mayor of Newark.

He achieved his goal in 1988. He was elected to Congress from New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, a heavily Democratic area that includes sections of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, after Peter W. Rodino Jr., the longtime dean of the state’s congressional delegation, decided not to seek a 21st term. Mr. Payne had unsuccessfully challenged Mr. Rodino in primaries in 1980 and 1986.

Before his 1988 campaign, Mr. Payne 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.”

Mr. Payne was in his 12th term when he died. In several of his later campaigns, he ran without any Republican opposition.

He served as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1995 to 1997.

Mr. Payne, who was a widower, had three children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

14 thoughts on “Donald Payne, advocate for democracy in Ethiopia, dead at 77”

  1. I can see Meles is throwing night long party, I also can see Issayas is sitting in a big tent grieving while sitting his body is moving back and forth tears running through his chicks.

    Issayas Alqisu/Liqso

    AMHARIC

    Wendmea Donald Payne Neberk Arbegna in America
    Temagutehal Le Eritrea Manm Satfera
    Man Yitekhal Anten Yemesele Washito Yemiyadn Eritrea.

    Wey Ene Issayas Donald Payne Tefebgn
    Getaye Qazafi Motebign
    Halafiyen Mubark Taserebign
    Aseltagne Syria Tornet Kefetulign
    Ahun Men Yishalal Aynian Beqen Chelembign.

    TIGRIGNA

    Qumena Hawey Donald Payne Neyrka Jigna Ab America
    Shimtka Getirka Temagutka Leritrea Entey Ferahaka
    Men Yikown N’aka Ztkeaka Hasiyu Eritrea Kihluwelka.

    Wey Ane Gualu Issayas Donald Payne Tefueni
    Goytay Qazafi Moytni
    Halafiye Mubark Teasurini
    Alamiye Syria Ab Tornit Mexawedia Teqorqiruni
    Hiji Daa Entay Eye Zgebro Bqetri Xehay Ayney Tefiu Xelmituni.

  3. What a sad news. We lost great man, great leader. TPLF, Meles and the tugs here in the United States will party tonight. We morn the lose of a great friend of Ethiopia and its people.

    I will contribute if there are Ethiopian who may attend his funeral.Can we show our love and respect to his family? Could someone closeby do something? It is a sad day. May his soul rest in peace.

  4. He was a friend in deed. Ethiopians have lost one of the greatest advocates they ever had in the House of Congress. He will be missed. RIP,
    May God bless his soul and gives strength to his bereaving family.

  5. The country has toi make sure that the HR riders do not gain more fearless access and kill their preys by choke and Million Dollar Style. They never grew up in a country where there was free press despite the fact that they are freedom of press fighteers. Do I trust the Sky Line assholes and their cabs? They do anything starting fro m Park Lot to Murder because they are assholes and highly trained conspirators of the 70’s 80’s and 90’s.

    Zenawi is simply the Millenium’s opportunist and the butcher on the block.

    Richmond does not accept any that as its equal and theyrode on it free.

  6. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.
    If his medical Doctor was a Woyane, his family need to investigate the real cause of his death. Hey, I’m just saying, one never knows.

  7. A big loose for peace loving people of Africa and specially the Horn of Africa. He was weyanes nightmare and indeed a true friend, will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

    Hope

  9. Great friend of the oppressed and the disenfranchised. Back in 2005, after Meles Zenawi lost the national election of Ethiopia, he launched his murder machine on thousands of innocent Ethiopians. At that time, Congressman Donal Payne and Congressman Christopher Smith stood for Ethiopian people.

  14. I know nothing anyone can say or do will make the pain in Donald’s family heal, but I wanted them to know that there are fans out there praying for him and his family.

    By the way, Ethiopians lost a great friend.

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