The Mayor and Committee of the Township of Union invite residents to the Dedication Ceremony of the Vauxhall Meeting Center, located at 333 Russell St in Vauxhall, on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. The Meeting Center will be dedicated in the memory of the late Donald M. Payne Sr. who represented the Vauxhall section of Union as a part of the 10th Congressional District.
“Congressman Payne was a champion for education and civil rights who sought to combat injustice all over the world,” said Suzette Cavadas, Mayor. “We were proud to have him as an advocate for the needs of our residents and believe that this honor is well-deserved.”
The event will feature a presentation about the late congressman by the Vauxhall Historical Society and a ceremony which will be attended by Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. who now represents the district in Congress.
Payne, Sr., was a Democrat who represented New Jersey's 10th congressional district for 23 years. He was the first African American Congressman from New Jersey.
A former teacher, Prudential executive, city councilman, and Essex County freeholder, Payne's lifelong dream was to become a congressman. In 1988 he achieved that goal and was returned to Congress 11 times by some of the widest margins in New Jersey congressional history.
While in the House of Representatives, Payne was known as a tireless advocate for his constituents, a champion of education, and a de facto ambassador to Africa.
The Dedication Ceremony and presentation are free of charge and open to the community. Refreshments will be served.
For more information on the please contact the Township of Union Office of Public Information at 908-851-5096 or via email at publicinfo@uniontownship.com.