Donald Payne was remembered Wednesday as a friend, pioneering congressman and activist at a funeral at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark. Thirty-three people, including former President Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and African diplomats from Washington, signed up to eulogize Payne, who died last week at the the age of 77.

Payne was New Jersey’s first and only African-American congressman, serving 23 years. He chaired the congressional black caucus and worked for peace in Africa and Ireland. Those who spoke at his funeral praised his work and his integrity as a role model, pointing to a life free of scandal.

NJToday Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron was at the funeral in Newark.

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WEB EXTRA: Gov. Chris Christie Eulogy — “No matter what other places God called him to serve, I believe he saw his role as a teacher as the formative experience of his life.”

WEB EXTRA: President Bill Clinton Eulogy: — “I would like to thank the people of this district for giving my friend the support and the space to not only faithfully represent them but to help people throughout the country and across the world. Not every congressional district will do that for their members.”

WEB EXTRA: Attorney General Eric Holder Remarks: — “As the first African American to represent New Jersey in the United States Congress, he brought the perspective of a public school teacher to the halls of power in our nation’s capitol and he proved to be both a statesman and a gentleman.”