Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos issued the following statement:

“Ahepans deeply mourn the untimely passing of U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., who represented the Tenth Congressional District of New Jersey.

“An Ahepan, Congressman Payne was a familiar, friendly face at AHEPA family and community events throughout his time in public service, including at our annual Capitol Hill Days. Like his father before him, who also was a dedicated Ahepan, Congressman Payne Jr.’s commitment to the American Hellenic community’s policy priorities and affection for Hellenic culture as an active member of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus was unwavering. He championed strong U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus, religious freedom, and especially the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece.