HUDSON COUNTY EXECUTIVE CRAIG GUY STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN DONALD M. PAYNE JR. 

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Hudson County Executive Craig Guy issed the following statement on the passing of Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr.: 

“I am deeply saddened by the death of Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. All of Hudson County sends sincere condolences to his wife, Beatrice, and their three children Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne. 

With a passion and dedication for public service, Donald worked his way up from within county and state offices to win elections for the Essex County Board of Freeholders and Municipal Council of Newark. He then succeeded his father in Congress in 2012, and has since embodied the committed, humble public servant we all strive to represent when we take office. On a personal note, soon after I became County Executive I met with Rep. Payne and constituents to bolster efforts to combat escalating gun violence. 

Donald was a tireless advocate for voting rights, the pillar of our democracy. In the House of Representatives, he was chosen by his colleagues to lead speeches in favor of expanding voting rights and fighting against voter disenfranchisement efforts. Donald also played a vital role in standing up for minority- and women-owned businesses in Congress. As Rail subcommittee chairman, Donald was a leading voice in guaranteeing minority business participation for federal passenger rail construction projects. 

We here in Hudson County continue to admire Congressman Payne’s values and work ethic and I thank him for his representation of District 10 in Washington, D.C. My thoughts and prayers are with Beatrice and their children in this difficult time. May he rest in peace.”