By: Maria – Paula
Virginia lawmaker Donald McEachin died Monday after nearly a decade of diagnosis with colorectal cancer since 2013.
McEachin was first elected to Congress in 2016, serving Virginia’s 4th Congressional District for over 20 years. The three-time congressman was re-elected to the House for a fourth term earlier this month.
“We are all devastated at the passing of our boss and friend, Congressman Donald McEachin,” read a statement by his chief of staff, Tara Rountree. “Valiantly, for years now, we have watched him fight and triumph over the secondary effects of his colorectal cancer from 2013. Tonight, he lost that battle, and the people of Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District lost a hero who always, always fought for them and put them first.”
McEachin who previously served in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly was an astute champion of US gun laws, affordable health care and environmental protection, served Virginia’s Richmond, Chesapeake and Hampton Roads. He was easily re-elected to the House for a fourth term earlier this month after his first election to Congress in 2016.
By law, before a special election is held, the Va. Congress seat will remain vacant.
“Until a new representative is elected, our office will remain open and continue to serve our constituents,” said Rountree on service delivery to the people of Virginia.
As the White House Tuesday announced that it would lower its flags to half-staff in his memory, friends, colleagues and family continued to eulogize McEachin.
Va. Senator Mark Warner (D) released statement Monday on McEachin’s death read,
“Donald and Colette McEachin have been wonderful friends to me and Lisa for more than thirty years,” he wrote. “We often bonded over stories and laughs about our mutual challenges raising families with three strong-willed daughters,” Warner said. “Up until the very end, Don was a fighter. Even though he battled cancer and faced other trials in recent years, he never lost his focus on social and environmental justice. Tonight, Virginia has lost a great leader and I have lost a great friend.”
A statement from President Joe Biden on Congressman McEachin’s death read,
“Jill and I are saddened by the death of Congressman Don McEachin of Virginia, following a battle with cancer. We send our deepest condolences to Don’s wife, Colette, and their three children,” wrote US President Joe Biden.
“I got to know Don after he was elected to Congress in 2016. I will always be grateful for his friendship, and his early and fierce support when I ran for President. Don was a fighter. He fought for justice, for civil rights, and for communities that are often left behind. Thanks to Don’s leadership and tireless advocacy, we passed historic legislation to combat the climate crisis and advance environmental justice.
The son of a school teacher and an Army veteran, public service was in Don’s DNA. After practicing law, he served honorably in both chambers of Virginia’s General Assembly, before winning election to the United States Congress. Through it all, Don always fought for the working people of Virginia. He never quit in his pursuit of justice. May God bless Don McEachin, Colette, and the entire
McEachin family.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, Tuesday on the Passing of lawmaker McEachin said, “Congressman Donald McEachin was a relentless advocate for his community, a dedicated colleague, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. In Virginia’s General Assembly and the United States Congress, he was tireless in the fight for justice. We were elected to Congress and joined the Congressional Black Caucus the same year, and worked together to advance critical issues on behalf of the American people. I was particularly honored to partner with him on legislation to advance environmental justice and secure a cleaner, healthier, and more fair future for all. I will miss his friendship and his advocacy and passion for improving our world for generations to come.
The Second Gentleman and I send our condolences and prayers to his wife Colette, their three children, and all those mourning his loss.”
Senator Tim Kaine(D), a friend since 1985, remembered McEachin as a “gentle giant, a compassionate champion for underdogs, a climate warrior, a Christian example, an understanding dad, a proud husband, a loyal brother.”
“Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise,” Kaine said, citing a verse from the Book of Psalms.
The Virgina Governor, Glenn Youngkin also ordered that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff. This was done on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and respect of Congressman Donald McEachin effective Tuesday, 29, 2022 until sunset on Wednesday, November 30,2022.
The 2008 master of divinity graduate from Virginia Union University, worked as a lawyer and a state lawmaker before his election to Congress in 2016.
McEachin was a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the Natural Resources Committee at the time of his death.
The funeral in honor of his life and legacy is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7 in eastern Henrico County. There will be a service at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond from 11 am. The McEachin family has asked for donations to Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology instead of flowers.