YMWCA OF NEWARK AND VICINITY

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Newark, NJ 07102
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Newark Y Mourns the Loss of Friend and Congressman Donald Payne

March 06, 2012
“On behalf of The Newark Y, I would like to express my terrible sadness over the passing of Congressman Donald Payne. This is a great loss for Newark, for New Jersey, for our country, and for the YMCA Association.” said Michael C. Bright, President and CEO of the Newark YMCA.

Among Congressman Payne’s many profound legacies, he was a long time leader of the Y: locally, nationally and worldwide. One of his first jobs was as Youth Director of the Newark YMCA. He went on to become the first African-American president of the National Council of YMCAs, and chairman of the World YMCA Refugee and Rehabilitation Committee. Congressman Payne was a long-time Board Member of the Newark YMCA, as well as a founder, 42 years ago, of the Newark Y’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast, the oldest in the nation. (Above, Congressman Payne addresses the 2012 MLK Breakfast as Michael Bright looks on.)

In 1974, Donald Payne stated his intention to become New Jersey’s first African-American congressman, rather than run for mayor of Newark, as many thought he might do. In 1988, he was elected to represent New Jersey’s 10^th Congressional District, a position he held until his death. Congressman Payne’s passion for inspiring youth was clear as he launched his first bid for Congress: “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.”

The youth of our community were inspired by this great man throughout his life. Congressman Payne’s Y family will dearly miss him, but will remember him every day through his tremendous legacy in our community.

According to Robert Meehan, Chairman of the Board of the Newark Y, "Not only the Newark community, but virtually the world was saddened to hear yesterday that Congressman Donald Payne had died. He lived his life as a champion of the rights of men and women to live in liberty and peace. Whether it was Darfur or Newark, he was especially a tireless voice for young people. He believed in the potential that God has given all of us to grow and prosper. We at the Newark YMCA will miss him."

Congressman Payne’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:

YMCA of Newark and Vicinity, 600 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102

ATTN: The Congressman Donald M. Payne Memorial Fund.

To donate online, click here.

For more information about the Fund, please contact Elizabeth Lorenzo at 973-624-8900 ext. 6827 or elorenzo@newarkymca.org.

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