U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ) passed away at the age of 87, according to a statement from his family earlier today. The congressman passed away on Wednesday morning. He was well-known for having a strong bond with his birthplace of Paterson, New Jersey.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning,” the statement read on X. “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.”
It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning. 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…
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@BillPascrell) August 21, 2024
Experienced New Jersey Democrat Pascrell Jr. left a lasting impression in the U.S. House of Representatives by his commitment to a number of important causes, like as healthcare, tax reform, and veteran support. Pascrell has represented the 9th congressional district of New Jersey, which encompasses portions of the counties of Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson, since 1997.
Born in Paterson, New Jersey, on January 25, 1937, Pascrell’s early upbringing in a blue-collar family influenced both his professional and political outlook. He studied at Fordham University, where he graduated with a journalism bachelor’s degree and then a philosophy master’s. Prior to serving in Congress, Pascrell had a distinguished career in municipal government. He initially rose to prominence as the mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, after serving as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1988 to 1996. Pascrell was well-known in Congress for his tenacity and dedication to the people in his area.
He was an outspoken supporter of comprehensive tax reform, putting up measures to guarantee equity for middle-class and lower-class households. His efforts were mostly directed toward removing legal loopholes that assist big businesses and the affluent. Pascrell was also a fervent advocate for reforming the healthcare system. He was a staunch advocate of the Affordable Care Act, seeing it as an essential first step toward national health insurance. Pascrell has a similar level of fervor for matters pertaining to veterans, continuously endorsing laws meant to enhance the resources and advantages accessible to them and their families. Pascrell’s work on the Ways and Means Committee, the oldest committee in the US Congress, is one of his most noteworthy legislative accomplishments.
As a result, he was able to influence decisions that affected both his constituency and the entire American population by being at the forefront of discussions about Medicare, Social Security, and tax policy. Pascrell was well-known for his views on safety and emergency response matters in addition to his legislative activity. He played a key role in getting federal funding to improve first responder capabilities and readiness across the nation after the September 11 attacks. Given his roots in Paterson, his dedication to public safety is extremely personal. Pascrell has not shied away from addressing domestic and global challenges in recent years.
The congressman opposed measures that he saw as undermining human rights and democracy both at home and abroad. He became a well-known voice in the Democratic Party because of his blunt demeanor and courage to express his opinions, particularly when it came to matters of power abuse and corruption. He was often observed interacting with his constituents, going to neighborhood gatherings, and catering to the needs of the communities he represented.
