[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 16, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JAMES J. TEDESCO, III

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2018

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
many outstanding achievements of Mr. James J. Tedesco, III. With this 
Extension of Remarks, I recognize the many contributions he has made to 
the people of the Ninth Congressional District.
  Expressing the influence of James J. Tedesco, III on our community is 
an honor. As a fellow official, and an admirer, it gives me great 
pleasure to add my personal appreciation and commendation.
  James was born on February 5, 1953 in Paramus, New Jersey. Following 
an example set by his father, James would dedicate his life to public 
service. In 1976, he would join the Paramus Fire Department, where he 
was a volunteer firefighter and twice elected Fire Chief. In 2000, 
James would begin his political career presiding over a successful bid 
for the Paramus Borough Council. This political ascendancy would 
ultimately result in his subsequent election to the position of Mayor, 
a position he would hold for two terms, before being elected the Bergen 
County Executive.
  From the day James was sworn in as Bergen County Executive in 2015, 
he has committed to improving the nearly ten-thousand acres within the 
Bergen County Parks System and expanding services to veterans and their 
families. Under Mr. Tedesco's leadership, Bergen County has been 
recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as 
the best in the state to combat homelessness amongst veterans. I am 
very proud to hear of such remarkable leadership for those that 
sacrifice the most for our country.
  Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III has been equally 
instrumental in advancing a number of other incredibly important 
initiatives. In 2015, Mr. Tedesco restored critical funding to Bergen 
County Community College and stands as a longtime advocate. 
Additionally, James is a strong proponent of the Stigma Free 
Initiative, which seeks to eliminate the stigma associated with mental 
illness and encourage mental health treatment.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to working with and recognizing the 
efforts of dedicated individuals like Bergen County Executive, James J. 
Tedesco, III. I am proud to call James a friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, family, friends and 
the residents of Bergen County in recognizing Bergen County Executive 
James J. Tedesco's outstanding character and service to his community.

                          ____________________