New Jersey Representative Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ) tragically lost his life on Wednesday due to complications from a heart attack. Payne, a prominent figure in Newark’s political landscape, had served in Congress for six terms, continuing a legacy initiated by his father, Donald Payne Sr., who became New Jersey’s first African American congressperson in 1988. During his time in Congress, Payne tirelessly championed healthcare access, particularly focusing on colorectal cancer screening and reducing amputation rates caused by peripheral arterial disease. He played a pivotal role in securing federal funding for the Gateway tunnel project and advocated for lead testing in school water systems to protect students’ health.