Watson Coleman Statement on the Death Calvin D. West

Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2019) — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the death of longtime New Jersey fixture Calvin D. West, the first Black councilman elected to a citywide seat on Newark’s city council.

“Even when he did not hold an office or title, Calvin West was a political leader. That he maintained both power and honest values throughout his lifetime is a testament to the kind of person he was. Every person seeking office also sought Calvin’s counsel, and he gave it earnestly, with Newark’s interests in his heart. He was steadfast in his love of his city and its people; he spent not just his professional career but his entire life working to build something better and brighter for everyone. Both his service, and his abundant class, will be missed dearly in Newark and across New Jersey.

“Calvin was a model of public service at its best, one that I hope many more will follow. I pray for comfort for his family and friends, who’ve lost not just a leader but a loved one, and I join countless others in remembering his legacy.”

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