U.S. Under Secretary for Veterans Affairs for Health and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health Shefeef Elnahal issued the following statement on the death of Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.:
“Congressman Payne was a friend, and an unmatched advocate for his district and the people of Newark. His leadership on colon cancer prevention was one of many examples of his impact. One day he dropped in on a Facebook town hall I held on the topic at my former hospital.
“He talked about how he lost his dad to colon cancer, and said, ‘I am your Congressman now, but I wish my dad was still your Congressman. Because that would have meant that I still had him. And this is why I will never stop until more people in our community are screened.’
“Donald Payne fought relentlessly for the well-being of the people he loved. And for the Congressman, that also meant everyone he represented, and everyone he impacted with his grace, compassion, and service. Rest in power, Congressman.”