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In Remembrance of Congressman Donald Payne   
March 6, 2012 – All of us in the CEDPA family were saddened to learn of Congressman Donald Payne's passing earlier today. He was a tireless champion for Africa and for improving the lives of men, women and children around the world. He was an exceptional advocate for women and girls during the re-authorization of PEPFAR in 2008, encouraging all to remember the vulnerable position of women and girls that makes them the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in much of the world. Also, in these times of political stalemate and rancor, it is important to highlight Congressman Payne extraordinary commitment to resolving the toughest issues in a non-partisan way. On a personal note, when I worked in Government, I was so impressed by his ability on the Africa Sub-Committee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to work closely with two of his Republican counterparts from California during the 1990’s, Congressmen Royce and Campbell, to build stronger support for Africa and to end conflict in the Horn of Africa and the Eastern Congo. CEDPA was proud to have nominated Congressman Donald Payne for InterAction’s Congressional Leadership Award in 2008. We are saddened today by his passing. The world has lost a great man – and the vulnerable around the world have lost a great champion.
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