Longtime NJ Congressman Bill Pascrell Passes Away at 87

On Aug 21, 2024

Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell died today, according to a statement from his family on his X account. He was 87 years old.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” the statement said. “As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He is now at peace after a lifetime devoted to our great nation America.”

Born in Paterson, Pascrell’s political career began in the late 1980s. He served as the U.S. Representative for his district since 1997, and was known for being a straight-talking, tough retired educator and U.S. Army sergeant, with the work ethic of a grandson-of-Italian-immigrants.

Pascrell had been running for re-election to his 9th District seat in November.

Because the vacancy has occurred before an Aug. 27 deadline — 70 days before the general election — county party leaders will be able to handpick a new Democratic nominee by Aug. 29, according to state election law.

One of the highlights of his political career came when Pascrell won the 2012 Democratic Primary in a redrawn congressional district. Many insiders at that time believed he would lose his seat to colleague U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman, but Pascrell put together one of the most complete campaigns in New Jersey in the last 20 years and demonstrated political mastery on every campaign front, according to InsiderNJ.

Pascrell was in the hospital for more than three weeks earlier this year and suffered a further setback last month. He also underwent heart surgery during his 2020 re-election campaign.

“Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Congressman Bill Pascrell, a giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “A son of the southside of Paterson, Bill developed a passion for public service at a young age. He grew up in a tight-knit Italian American family that instilled in him a tireless work ethic, a deep devotion to giving back to his community, and an unwavering instinct for drawing strength from our state’s diversity. He was a unifier in every sense of the word— and always sought to bring the people of New Jersey together around our shared principles.”

“With the passing of Congressman Pascrell, New Jersey has lost a true champion of our State and its most vulnerable residents. He leaves behind a profound legacy of dedicated public service that extends to his community,” said NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz. “Congressman Pascrell was a strong supporter of policies that promoted and protected his hometown of Paterson, the birthplace of the manufacturing industry on which NJBIA has always focused. He also helped facilitate job creation and always fought extremely hard for his constituency. We send our sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.

Since 2007, Bill has served on the powerful, tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, overseeing numerous economic issues including Social Security, taxes, Medicare, health policy, and international trade.

As Co-chairman and founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Pascrell has raised the nation’s awareness of the dangers of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Pascrell is a nationally recognized leader on the issue of fire safety, having proudly authored the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act of 2000, which established the only federal program that delivers grant dollars directly to fire departments across America.

He also secured a new Passaic County VA Outpatient Clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. The community-based facility is the first of its kind in the Ninth District and serves the more than 30,000 veterans. The Congressman lobbied hard for the clinic, arguing that too often, VA hospitals and clinics such as those in Hackensack and East Orange, are overcrowded and unable to handle the volume of veterans in communities needing care.

“Throughout my political career, Congressman Pascrell continuously gave me the best, unvarnished advice: to be oneself, to fight for the working gal and guy, and to do one’s best,” said former governor Jim McGreevey.

In previous Congresses, Pascrell served as a member of the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure (1997-2007), Homeland Security (2001-2011), Budget (2011-2017) and Small Business (1997-2001).

As a child, Pascrell attended St. George’s Elementary School in Paterson and graduated from St. John the Baptist High School. After earning two degrees from Fordham University (B.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Philosophy) in the Bronx, he worked as both a high school history teacher and an adjunct professor. He also served as president of the Paterson Board of Education and as a member of Passaic County Community College’s Board of Trustees.

He served his country in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve and received an honorable discharge in 1967.

Pascrell joined the New Jersey General Assembly in 1988 in his first elected office, rising to become Minority Leader Pro Tempore. While serving in Trenton, he was elected mayor of Paterson, New Jersey’s third largest city, in 1990.

Through the years, Pascrell has been widely recognized for his service and leadership by organizations including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Department of New Jersey Jewish War Veterans, the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the New Jersey State Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association, Major County Sheriff’s Association, the Brain Injury Association of America, Ceasefire New Jersey, and the Disabled American Veterans Charity. In Congress, he was a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee that guides his party’s caucus.

When asked about government and politics’ place in his life, Pascrell once said, “It’s not the be all and end all, but it’s important.”

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