[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E254-E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH PARISI, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
deeds of a person I am proud to call my friend, Joseph Parisi, Sr., of 
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, who is being feted today because of his 
many years of service and leadership. It is only fitting that we 
gathered here in his honor, for he epitomizes a strong spirit of caring 
and generosity.
  Joe Parisi is a graduate of Memorial High School in North Bergen. Joe 
also attended Fork Union Military Academy and studied at the Panzer 
College of Physical Education and Hygiene.
  Joe has always been an active and involved leader in his community. 
He was the co-founder and chairman of the Witte Scholarship Fund, a 
scholarship designed to benefit the children of law enforcement 
officers throughout the Bergen County. Furthering his belief in civic 
participation, Joe is also a past trustee of the Bergen Community 
College Foundation, which helps provide private funding for the 
development of college facilities.

[[Page E255]]

  Joe's career took off in 1948 when he became an apprentice insurance 
agent with Fred Otterstedt. It was the small steps in the beginning of 
his career that taught him the fundamentals that would make him the 
leader he is today. By 1955, Joe has become the owner and CEO of the 
Otterstedt Insurance Agency in Englewood Cliffs.
  As a leader in the business community, Joseph Parisi is the Director 
of the IFA Insurance Company and a past member or president of many 
other councils and associations. He is a past member of the Producer 
Council of the Maryland Casualty Insurance Group, the Jonathan Trumbull 
Association of the Hartford Insurance Company, the New Jersey 
Independent Insurance Agents Legislative Committee, the Council of 
Circle Agents of the Continental Insurance Companies and the Crum and 
Forster Insurance Company's Agency Council. Mr. Parisi is also the past 
President of the Hudson County Insurance Agents Association.
  Joseph Parisi has continually touched the lives of the people around 
him. Former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio appointed him as a 
commissioner of the New Jersey Quincentennial Columbus Day Celebration. 
Joe is a past trustee of the Bergen County 200 Club. He is also the 
Second Vice President of the Bergen County League of Municipalities. In 
addition, Joe is a past president of the Bergen County Democratic 
Mayor's Association and served as chair of the Bergen County Democratic 
Organization for five years. He is also a member of the Lions Club, 
VFW, UNICO, Knights of Columbus and UNITI.
  Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, 
Joseph Parisi was elected Mayor of the Borough of Englewood Cliffs in 
1976. For the four years prior, Joe served as a member of the Englewood 
Cliffs Borough Council. In addition to these roles, Joe also served as 
Police Commissioner while on the Council. As a former mayor in New 
Jersey, Mr. Speaker, I can say that I can think of no elected official 
who works harder or cares more about his constituents. Perhaps the 
greatest tribute to Joe Parisi is the unwavering faith of voters of 
Englewood Cliffs. They have demonstrated this by electing him time and 
again.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Joe's family, 
friends and the State of New Jersey in recognizing the outstanding and 
invaluable service to the community of Joseph Parisi, Sr.

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