15 Photos: Tributes Continue for Don McEachin
🌹 The death of Congressman Don McEachin on Nov. 28 has prompted a wave of tributes. Last night, members of the Virginia delegation led by Rep. Bobby Scott led a tribute on the floor to Rep. Don McEachin, who died on Nov. 28 at the age of 61.
On Nov. 29, Colette McEachin posted on her Facebook a thank you to those who have reached out:
My family and I appreciate the many expressions of condolence for the passing of our beloved Donald. We will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to please consider a donation to The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in memory of A. Donald McEachin.
🌹Donations can be mailed to:
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology
Institutional Advancement, Attention: Deborah Alston
Virginia Union University, 1500 N. Lombardy St.
Richmond, VA 23220
To make online donations, go to VUU.edu, then click on Donate. In the Designations box, click on SDP School of Theology Fund. Under Tribute Gift, Click the box indicating that this gift is in honor, memory, or support of someone. In the comments box write 🌹"In memory of A. Donald McEachin”.
Thank you for your sympathy and kindness in this time of sorrow. We are so deeply grateful.
Many have posted tributes and remembrance to McEachin over the last 48 hours.
“Jill and I are deeply saddened by the death of our friend Congressman Don McEachin of Virginia. Don was a fighter for justice, civil rights, and communities often left behind. I will always be grateful for his friendship. May God bless the entire McEachin family,” wrote President Biden on twitter.
The President’s longer official statement is below:
🌹“We send condolences to the family of former Rep. Donald McEachin. God has given us tears to help in our grief. Don's death, coming so close to Christmas time, when others will be celebrating, will be difficult for his family and friends. As a student of theology, Don would have been familiar with the ways that the Bible speaks about death. Genesis 25:17 gives us a pattern: These are the years of the life of Donald, sixty and one years; and he breathed his last, gave up the spirit and died, and was gathered to his people. There is a warmth in that description: a belonging, a continuity of life. May God bless you and keep you,” wrote Virginia’s 42nd Lt. Governor Winsome Sears in a three-part threat on social media.
The Virginia Democratic Black Caucus, led by E.J. Scott wrote: “We are extremely saddened at the passing of one of our fierce Congressional members, Donald Mc Eachin. Congressman McEachin had long been a political figure in the Commonwealth of Virginia and has proved to be a determined and innovative fighter for civil rights, against climate change and other global causes. Congressman McEachin received the Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia Leadership Virginia Award for his civil rights and economic justice work in 2019. Our condolences go out to his family and his loved ones. He will be missed.”
🌹“I join those mourning the death of Congressman Don McEachin. We served together in the House of Delegates, and he was always warm and kind to his colleagues. Don was a dedicated public servant, and I pray that his family finds peace in the days ahead,” wrote Republican Speaker of the Virginia House Todd Gilbert.
Many elected officials outside of Virginia also paid tribute to McEachin, here are three:
Sen. Raphael Warnock, who has a runoff election on Dec. 6 in Georgia against Republican Herschel Walker, wrote, “I’m saddened by the passing of Rep. Don McEachin. I send my deepest condolences to his wife nd daughters, his staff, VA's 4th District & everyone that loved him. I join the country in thanking Don for his work to serve Richmond & move this country forward. God bless his memory.”
“I’m heartbroken tonight to hear of VA Congressman Don McEachin’s passing. Serving publicly for 25+ years, he never lost sight of what matters most: his constituents, his community, and his family. I so looked forward to serving alongside Rep. McEachin and know he’ll be missed,” wrote Rep-Elect Jasmine Crockett of Texas.
“I’m devastated by the loss of my colleague and friend, Rep. Don McEachin. Don was gentle but strong-willed, and he was especially fiery about ending racial injustice and building an economy for the working and middle-class. My prayers go out to his family in this difficult time,” wrote New York Congressman Mondaire Jones.
Below are images from McEachin’s official social media pages:
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