The American Diabetes Association’s Chief Executive Officer Charles D. “Chuck” Henderson issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman Donald Payne Jr.
“This week, the diabetes community lost a true champion as we learned of the passing of Congressman Donald Payne Jr.
Congressman Payne Jr. embodied the highest standards of public service and was a champion for people living in his district and in New Jersey. He was a leader amongst his peers and frequently spoke about his own health challenges with diabetes and related conditions, as he fought to ensure that others achieved health and would prosper.
He was a leader in addressing health inequities in communities across the country, including those of interest to people living with diabetes. As co-chairman of the Congressional Peripheral Artery Disease Caucus (PAD), Congressman Payne authored and fought for legislation to reduce preventable diabetes-related amputations. Most recently, the Congressman was the lead sponsor of the ADA-endorsed Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act.
Congressman Payne Jr. will be remembered as a champion for people living with diabetes. The ADA and the diabetes community deeply mourns this loss.”
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About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 83 years, the ADA has driven discovery and research to treat, manage, and prevent diabetes while working relentlessly for a cure. Through advocacy, program development, and education we aim to improve the quality of life for the over 136 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life®. To learn more or to get involved, visit us at diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Spanish Facebook (Asociación Americana de la Diabetes), LinkedIn (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn), and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).