Assembly Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) issued the following statement Tuesday on the passing of U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne:
“My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Payne family during their time of loss. Congressman Payne was a true leader and in many ways the patriarch of, not just his family, but our state.
“He led by example, with dignity and grace, during a time when the political discourse was often anything but harmonious. His lasting legacy will be his willingness to fight for the issues that were not politically expedient but the right thing to do – the marginalized, the victimized and the forgotten both here at home and abroad.
“We have lost one of our great public servants today.”