PAWTUCKET - U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement tonight:

“I’m deeply saddened that my wonderful friend, former Newport Mayor Paul Gaines, has passed away. Paul was a trailblazer and a Rhode Island icon. The first Black mayor of a New England city, Paul never stopped fighting for Newport or its people. All those whose lives he touched were privileged to be in his presence. My thoughts are with his wife, Jo Eva, and their entire family right now.”