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A native of Newark, New Jersey, was elected to Congress in 1998 and has been successfully reelected eleven times. Known as 'Mr. Africa” in the U.S. Congress Payne has been at the forefront efforts to support democracy and human rights in Africa.
In 2003, President Bush appointed Payne as one of two members of Congress to serve as a Congressional delegate to the United Nations and reappointed him in 2005 to an unprecedented second term. In this role. he has met with the U.N. Secretary General. the US. Ambassador to the U.N. and regularly attended sessions the U.N. General Assembly and other high level meetings Representative Payne co-founded the Malaria Caucus which was launched at an event with First Lady Laura Bush. He successfully secured $50 million for prevention. control and treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis The Congressman also helped secure passage of a bill authorizing $50 billion for HIV/AIDS. TB and Malaria.
He is also a member of the Foreign Committee. where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health and as member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights. and Oversight. Congressman Payne has been at the forefront of efforts to restore democracy and human rights in nations throughout the globe. He was one of five members of Congress chosen to accompany President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton on their historic six-nation tour of Africa. He also headed a Presidential mission to Rwanda to help solutions to that country's political and humanitarian crises. In addition. he was recognized as having the most supportive record in Congress on issues involving the Northern Ireland peace process.
One of Congressman's Payne most important successes was winning passage of a resolution declaring genocide in Darfur, Sudan. The measure was the culmination of more than two years' work by many churches. religious organizations. anti-slavery groups. and resettled Sudanese through broad grass-roots support. His involvement in Africa led him to meet with Darfur refugees at the camps in Chad. where he heard many of their stories first-hand. Congressman Payne also gained national recognition when he was selected to manage the debate on the floor of the House of Representatives in opposition to the use force in Iraq before fully exploring diplomatic solution.
A former national President of the YMCA. he served as Chairman of the World Refugee and Rehabilitation Committee. He has served on the board of directors of the National Endowment for Democracy. TransAfrica, Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, the Congressional Award Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newark, the Newark Day Center, the Fighting Back Initiative and the Newark YMCA, He has received numerous awards and honors from national. international and community-based organizations. including the Visionaries Award bestowed by the Africa Society and the prestigious Democracy Service Medal. which was previously awarded to Lech Walesa. the former Polish President and founder of the Solidarity movement. by the National Endowment for Democracy.
A graduate of Seton Hall University, ha pursued graduate studies at Springfield College in Massachusetts He holds honorary doctorates from Chicago State University. Drew University. Essex County College and William Paterson University. Congressman Payne a widower. is the father of 3. grandfather of A and the great grandfather of 1.
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