It is with sadness that we acknowledge the recent passing of U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne, (D-N.J.). He was a champion for many people on many important issues. The first African-American to be elected to represent New Jersey's 10th District, Rep. Payne was a tireless advocate of humanitarian assistance and spoke up for those suffering from disease, persecution and poverty around the world.
As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as the highest-ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, Rep. Payne worked on legislation focusing on democracy, human rights and famine relief, among other issues. He was an important voice in helping to secure $50 billion in funding for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria under PEPFAR.
In 2008, Rep. Payne, in collaboration with now-U.S. Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and then-First Lady Laura Bush, launched the Congressional Malaria Caucus to raise awareness of the United States' efforts to control and treat malaria. Rep. Payne took his commitments to global health one step further in 2009 by expanding the caucus to include neglected tropical diseases (NTD) control and prevention within its mission.
With the announcement of his position as co-chair of the caucus for the 112th Congress, Rep. Payne asserted that, "In a time of crucial discussions about U.S. foreign assistance reform, malaria and NTD control and prevention represent some of the strongest returns on investment for foreign assistance dollars."
ASTMH will remember Rep. Payne for his strong voice in support of better health and a better life for the global poor.