Seasoned New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell bids farewell at the age of 87.
"With a heavy heart, we're disclosing the tragic news that our cherished husband, dad, and granddad, Bill Pascrell Jr., departed from us this morning," indicates a post on his Congressional account. "As our esteemed Representative, Bill exerted every ounce of strength until his last breath, yearning to rejoin the job he adored and the folks he held dear. A native of Paterson, Bill had an unshakeable affection for the city that shaped him and served him. He's now found tranquility after dedicating his entire life to our esteemed nation, America."
Pascrell had been under medical care for a fever in the recent past.
Before his tenure in the House of Representatives, Pascrell served in the New Jersey General Assembly and as the mayor of Paterson, New Jersey.
In the House, Pascrell managed New Jersey’s 8th district, and subsequent to redistricting, the state’s 9th district. Pascrell was a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and during his time in Congress, strived to secure financing for a multitude of projects, including approximately $17 million in federal funding for infrastructure upgrades, such as replacing old lead pipes.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Pascrell lashed out at Republican leadership, advocating for approval of an emergency supplemental package to provide recovery assistance.
"It's time to drop the gloves – Jersey style," Pascrell declared on the House floor. "Unfortunately, we're confronting an erratic leadership on the other side."
Earlier this year, Pascrell confronted a Democratic primary opposition from Prospect Park Mayor Mohamed Khairullah, who criticized Pascrell's staunch backing of Israel amidst a broad humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Khairullah, who is Muslim, made headlines last year when the Secret Service barred him from attending an Eid reception at the White House to celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan.
The district is home to Little Ramallah in Paterson, which boasts one of the largest Palestinian-American communities in the nation, as well as a substantial Jewish population in Bergen County, making the area a focal point of strife amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In the end, nonetheless, Pascrell emerged victorious in the Democratic primary.
Given his deep involvement in politics, Pascrell's departure from Congress has sparked discussions about potential replacements in the 9th district. Despite battling health issues, Pascrell's dedication to securing federal funding for infrastructure projects, such as replacing old lead pipes, will significantly impact the district's future developments.
