Pallone Leads Moment of Silence Honoring Late Colleague Bill Pascrell on the House Floor

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) led a moment of silence on the House floor to honor his friend and colleague, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., who passed away after 14 terms representing New Jersey's 9th District. Pallone delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting on Pascrell's deep roots in Paterson, New Jersey, and his enduring legacy of public service.

During his remarks, Pallone reflected on Pascrell's dedication to the city of Paterson and how he consistently prioritized the well-being of his community. Pallone noted that Pascrell's work on key issues-such as funding for police, supporting first responders, preserving national parks, and advocating for traumatic brain injury survivors-was a testament to his tireless commitment to those he represented.

"Bill Pascrell was like America itself: big and strong, full of good intentions, always there when you needed him," said Pallone, borrowing the words of American author Tim O'Brien to describe his longtime friend.

A full transcript of Pallone's remarks is below:

Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank so many people on both sides of the aisle that came to the beautiful funeral that we had for Bill Pascrell in the Paterson cathedral with the bishop.

One of the things that you heard there was that he spent his whole life in Paterson, New Jersey. Paterson was how he identified himself: tough, gritty, industrial city, saying what he pleased, always looking out for the little guy. And that was true in Congress as well.

The things that Chris Smith mentioned were all issues that the average person cared about: having a good police force and fire department, being able to have good health care, consumer issues like the Boss Act, to make sure that the fans were properly cared for - this is what he was all about. He looked at Paterson, and he looked at this place always from the viewpoint of his neighbors.

I want to thank what we call the Pennsylvania Corner. They're not all from Pennsylvania, but they were all his biggest boosters in Congress. And he saw them as his neighbors and his close friends in the same way he saw the city of Paterson.

I have one quote I just have to read because it summarizes everything about Bill. It is from the American author Tim O'Brien:

He was like America itself: big and strong, full of good intentions, always there when you needed him, a believer in the virtues of simplicity, directness, and hard labor.

That was Bill Pascrell.

Pallone's efforts to honor Pascrell extend beyond tonight's moment of silence. He is leading legislation to rename Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park facilities after Pascrell and to rename grants provided through Pascrell's Traumatic Brain Injury Program in his honor. These efforts aim to preserve the legacy of Pascrell's contributions to his community and the nation. Read more here.

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