Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, on what would have been his 67th birthday, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) introduced a bill to rename Newark Penn Station for Donald M. Payne, Jr. Located at 1 Raymond Plaza West Newark, NJ, the station would be renamed the Congresswoman Transit Center at Newark Penn Station to honor the late Donald Payne, Jr., a devoted public servant and transit champion, who dedicated 12 years to serving New Jersey's 10th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.

"I knew that I had a giant's shoes to fill when I was elected to serve New Jersey's 10th Congressional District, succeeding Congressman Payne. Donald Payne, Jr. was a towering leader in our community, championing New Jerseyans from all walks of life-especially through his tireless advocacy for transportation infrastructure," said Rep. McIver. "Renaming this beacon of transportation for our community is fitting. The Congressman was a trailblazer whose legacy has shaped my leadership and left an enduring imprint on the heart of the 10th District."

"Donald Payne, Jr. wasn't just a colleague, he was like family to me. I'll always cherish the 10 years I spent working with Don on issues important to us such as access to child care and fighting cancer. He was always fighting for Newark and the communities that needed him most. It's fitting that on his birthday we should remember him by introducing this bill to rename Newark Penn Station in his honor," said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

"As a Newark native, Congressman Don Payne understood how central Newark Penn Station is to daily life in the city. On his birthday, I'm proud to support renaming the station in his honor, reflecting his years of service and his advocacy for transportation investments that helped connect Newark to the rest of the region and support the city's economy," said Rep. Frank Pallone.

Born on December 17th, 1958, Honorable Donald Milford Payne, Jr. graduated Hillside High School and attended college at Kean University in Union. After serving as Newark City Council President, he ran in the primary to succeed his father, and the first African American elected to New Jersey's Congressional delegation, Donald Milford Payne, Sr. Payne, Jr.'s early career spent in transportation management proved invaluable when he was elected to Congress and appointed to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He is remembered by the 10th District community as an advocate for affordable healthcare, transportation, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and much more.

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