[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1979-H1980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REDESIGNATION OF PATERSON GREAT FALLS NHP FACILITIES
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 249) to redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great
Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell,
Jr.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 249
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REDESIGNATION OF PATERSON GREAT FALLS NHP
FACILITIES.
(a) Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge.--Great Falls
Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge at Paterson Great Falls National
Historical Park shall hereafter be known and designated as
``Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge''.
(b) Overlook Park.--Overlook Park at Paterson Great Falls
National Historical Park shall hereafter be known and
designated as ``Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park''.
(c) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to--
(1) Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge shall be
deemed to be a reference to Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic
Overlook Trail Bridge; and
(2) Overlook Park shall be deemed to be a reference to Bill
Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 249, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 249, introduced by
Representative Pallone, which would redesignate
[[Page H1980]]
certain amenities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in
honor of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
Specifically, this bipartisan bill would rename two sites within the
historical park as the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge
and the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park.
Paterson, New Jersey, was home to Congressman Pascrell, a former
Member of this body and, before that, a high school teacher and college
professor.
Congressman Pascrell was instrumental in the designation of the
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in 2009. Known for his
plainspoken demeanor and deep commitment to his constituents,
Congressman Pascrell served our Nation in the U.S. Army and in this
body for nearly three decades, until his passing last August.
Overlook Park is a 2.5-acre area providing panoramic views of the
falls and the gateway to the larger historical park.
The Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge is one of two year-round
pedestrian bridges connecting visitors to the falls. It serves
approximately 300,000 visitors annually and links the park's visitors
center to the falls' viewing platform.
Mr. Speaker, this straightforward and bipartisan legislation has the
full support of the entire New Jersey delegation. I commend
Representative Pallone for his work on this legislation. I support the
bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
249, a bill that would ensure that the name of Congressman Bill
Pascrell, Jr., will forever be etched into the landscape of the city
that he so passionately served.
This legislation would rename two beloved landmarks within Paterson
Great Falls National Historical Park, the Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge
and Overlook Park, as the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail
Bridge and the Bill Pascrell, Jr. Overlook Park.
These places offer sweeping views of the Great Falls, a symbol of
American ingenuity, labor, and power.
There could be no more fitting a tribute to a man whose career
reflected those same qualities. For decades, Bill Pascrell fought for
the people of Paterson and the State of New Jersey. Anyone who visited
Paterson, as I have on many occasions, knew that he lived, ate, and
breathed Paterson. That man loved Paterson and was Paterson.
Mr. Speaker, it is also fitting that, on the week that we honor
police officers, who put their lives on the line to protect and serve
us, this is the time that we will pass this bill honoring Bill
Pascrell. He never backed down from standing up for working people and
for first responders. From the halls of city hall to Congress, he was a
tireless advocate for working families, veterans, public health, and
local infrastructure. Yet, what defined him was his unshakable belief
in the potential of his hometown, a city that helped build America and
the city that he never stopped believing in.
By renaming these park features in his honor, we are not just
commemorating his public service. We are linking his legacy to a
history of American industry, immigration, and a resilience that Great
Falls represents.
Bill Pascrell deserves this legacy. He was a legacy. He had a great
sense of humor, and when he walked in, everyone knew he was in the
room. We miss him dearly here, and his name belongs in this place not
only in the official record, but in the very landscape of the community
that he loved.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to help
ensure that this legacy stands as strong and enduring as the Great
Falls themselves, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am
prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the
gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Pou).
Ms. POU. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 249, a bill to redesignate
parts of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of
the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
I thank my friend and fellow New Jerseyan, Congressman Frank Pallone,
for leading this effort. I am a proud original cosponsor of this
important measure to honor the legacy of one of Paterson's greatest
sons, Congressman Pascrell.
Congressman Pascrell was my dear friend and a mentor to me. He was
known throughout our State for his closely held convictions. He spoke
up and spoke out for what he believed in, and he never ever backed down
from a fight.
Many years ago, Bill had a vision for the Great Falls. He knew that,
with adequate Federal resources and funding, the Great Falls could be
an anchor for Paterson's rebirth and revitalization.
Once he arrived in Washington, he rolled up his sleeves and got to
work.
{time} 1715
Bill fought relentlessly to secure the designation of the Great Falls
as a National Historic Park in 2009. When it was signed into law by
President Obama, it was a proud day for our city and our entire State.
This designation unlocked a flood of new rehabilitation and expansion
projects that have transformed the Great Falls into a hub for tourism
and recreation.
This includes the expansion of the park's boundaries to encompass the
historic Hinchliffe Stadium. The Great Falls is the crown jewel of our
great city. After Niagara Falls, by volume, it is the largest set of
waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. Hundreds of thousands of
tourists come from all over the world to be inspired by the beauty of
its roaring water.
Additionally, our Great Falls are unique as both a historical and
national landmark. Alexander Hamilton used the power of the falls to
help start the industrial revolution right in the heart of Paterson,
New Jersey.
Overlook Park is the center of our national park. This part of the
district is where you get the classic view of our famous falls. The
pedestrian bridge is another favorite part of the park, a place where
you can get a topside view of the falls and can physically feel its
majesty, along with the mists from the mighty Passaic River.
Mr. Speaker, with the passage of this measure into law to rename
these two locations, Bill Pascrell's tireless advocacy will be
rightfully remembered by generations of Patersonians. As a proud
Patersonian, let me just say, I urge all my colleagues to support the
passage of this measure.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a straightforward, bipartisan
bill that renames beloved sites for the late Representative Bill
Pascrell, Jr. I urge its adoption and yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 249.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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