[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 142 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF BILL PASCRELL, JR.

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, the work, 
and memory of one of this body's most senior and distinguished members, 
as well as my close and dear friend, Congressman Bill Pascrell.
  I am heartbroken by Bill's passing. Bill was a teacher, professor, 
and a dedicated public servant to the people of New Jersey's Ninth 
District for nearly three decades. Bill was a true champion of working 
families. His tireless advocacy for fair trade policies that put 
American workers first was unmatched.
  We first met when I was working as a New Jersey State director for 
the Mondale-Ferraro campaign in 1984. Bill was the mayor of Paterson, 
New Jersey. I just might tell you that Bill Pascrell yelled at me every 
single day for the 2 months that I was in New Jersey about what was 
right and what was wrong. I was really fearful that when he came to 
serve in Congress would we ever really have a civil conversation. We 
became the closest and dearest friends.
  Bill was somebody who was always willing to lend a hand or advice, 
and I came to rely on him as a friend and an ally.
  As a proud Italian-American leader, Bill brought our shared community 
values of fairness and justice to every aspect of his work, serving all 
of his constituents with passion and commitment over an exceptional 
career.
  I knew that I could always count on Bill no matter how difficult the 
fight. Together, we pushed for improved trade policies that prioritized 
American workers and protected labor rights as with the bipartisan 
National Critical Capabilities Defense Act.
  Bill's leadership on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight was 
instrumental in making sure our standards were not merely words on 
paper but strong and real policies that have upheld our Nation's 
values.
  He co-chaired the Italian American Caucus here, preserving the rich 
culture and history of Italian Americans in this body and in this 
country. He was a proud son of Italy.
  Bill's passing is a serious loss to New Jersey, the Congress, and the 
Nation. I send all of my love to Elsie, to his children, his family, 
and his friends during this time.

                          ____________________