Bill Pascrell

Bill Pascrell
Born	William James Pascrell Jr. 25 1, 1937
Birthplace	Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	Template:Death date and age Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative from New Jersey (1997–2024), Mayor of Paterson (1990–1997), advocacy for traumatic brain injury awareness
Education	Fordham University (BA, MA)
Children	3
Awards	Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame (2025, posthumous)
Website	[http://pascrell.house.gov/ Official site]

William James Pascrell Jr. (January 25, 1937 – August 21, 2024) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from New Jersey for more than 27 years, from 1997 until his death in 2024. A member of the Democratic Party and a lifelong resident of Paterson, New Jersey, Pascrell was a fixture of North Jersey politics whose career spanned more than three decades, from the corridors of the New Jersey General Assembly to the halls of the United States Congress. Before entering federal office, he served four terms in the state legislature beginning in 1988 and was elected to two terms as mayor of Paterson, one of New Jersey's largest cities. He initially represented New Jersey's 8th congressional district when first elected to Congress in 1996, and following redistricting in 2012, he won election to represent New Jersey's 9th congressional district, a seat he held until his death. Pascrell was known for his advocacy on behalf of traumatic brain injury patients, his efforts to protect consumers from unfair ticketing practices, and his deep connection to his hometown of Paterson. Since his death, multiple legislative efforts and posthumous honors have commemorated his legacy, including the renaming of sites at Paterson Great Falls National Park and the designation of a New Jersey highway in his name.

Early Life

William James Pascrell Jr. was born on January 25, 1937, in Paterson, New Jersey, a city in Passaic County with a long history as an industrial center. Paterson, founded by Alexander Hamilton as one of the nation's first planned industrial cities, was a community shaped by waves of immigration and manufacturing. Pascrell grew up in this environment and maintained a deep attachment to the city throughout his life, eventually serving it as both a state legislator and mayor before representing it in Congress.

Pascrell served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1967, attaining the rank of Sergeant. His military service preceded his entry into public life and was a formative experience that he would later reference in his political career, particularly in his advocacy for veterans' issues and military families.

Education

Pascrell attended Fordham University in New York City, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree. Fordham, a Jesuit university in the Bronx, was a common educational destination for students from the greater New York metropolitan area, including northern New Jersey. His graduate education at Fordham equipped him for a career in public service and education before he entered elective politics.

Career

New Jersey General Assembly

Pascrell began his career in elective office with his election to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1987, taking office on January 12, 1988. He represented the 35th legislative district, which encompassed portions of Passaic County including his hometown of Paterson. During his tenure in the Assembly, Pascrell served alongside several notable legislators, including John Girgenti, Cyril Yannarelli, Frank Catania, Donald Hayden, and Alfred E. Steele. He succeeded Vincent O. Pellecchia in the seat and served four terms in the state legislature, remaining a member of the General Assembly until January 3, 1997, when he left to take his seat in the United States Congress. His successor in the Assembly was Nellie Pou, who would later succeed him in Congress as well following his death in 2024.

Mayor of Paterson

While still serving in the General Assembly, Pascrell was elected mayor of Paterson, taking office on July 1, 1990. He succeeded Mayor Anna Dopirak and served two terms as the city's chief executive, holding the position until January 3, 1997. During his tenure as mayor, Pascrell simultaneously continued to serve in the state legislature, holding dual positions that were permissible under New Jersey law at the time. His successor as mayor was Martin Barnes. Pascrell's time as mayor strengthened his identification with Paterson and gave him executive experience that he carried into his subsequent congressional career.

United States House of Representatives

Election to Congress (1996)

In 1996, Pascrell ran for the United States House of Representatives in New Jersey's 8th congressional district, challenging incumbent Republican Bill Martini. Pascrell won the election and took office on January 3, 1997, beginning what would become more than a quarter-century of service in the House. He succeeded Martini, who had served only a single term.

Service in the 8th District (1997–2013)

Pascrell represented the 8th congressional district for eight consecutive terms, winning reelection throughout the late 1990s and 2000s. The 8th district encompassed portions of Passaic County and surrounding areas in northern New Jersey, including Paterson. Throughout his tenure, Pascrell built a reputation as a vocal advocate for his constituents and for several policy issues that became closely associated with his name.

Pascrell was an outspoken advocate on consumer protection issues. In 2012, he publicly criticized Ticketmaster following reports that the company's systems were being exploited by ticket scalpers, particularly in connection with the sale of Bruce Springsteen concert tickets. Pascrell condemned the practice, arguing that it harmed ordinary consumers who were unable to purchase tickets at face value.

Pascrell was also known for his response to national events. Following the January 2011 shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, Pascrell was among the New Jersey lawmakers who expressed shock and concern about the attack, which killed six people and wounded thirteen others, including Giffords.

Traumatic Brain Injury Advocacy

One of the defining legislative causes of Pascrell's career was his advocacy for awareness and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). He was a leading voice in Congress on the issue, pushing for federal resources to be directed toward research, treatment, and public education regarding TBI. In May 2006, Pascrell spoke in support of a House resolution recognizing the need for public awareness of traumatic brain injury. His work on TBI became one of the signature elements of his congressional legacy and continued to influence policy after his death. In September 2025, Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey and colleagues introduced legislation to reauthorize critical programs supporting TBI patients, continuing the work that Pascrell had championed for years.

2012 Redistricting and Primary

Following the 2010 United States census, New Jersey's congressional districts were redrawn, and the 8th district was effectively redistricted into the new 9th congressional district. The redistricting placed Pascrell in the same district as fellow Democratic incumbent Steve Rothman, setting up a primary contest between the two sitting members of Congress. The 2012 Democratic primary in the 9th district drew significant attention in New Jersey politics and beyond, as it was one of relatively few instances of two incumbents of the same party being forced to compete against each other due to redistricting.

Pascrell prevailed over Rothman in the Democratic primary and went on to win the 2012 general election, becoming the representative for the newly drawn 9th district.

Service in the 9th District (2013–2024)

From January 2013 onward, Pascrell served as the representative from the 9th congressional district. He continued to be reelected in subsequent cycles, maintaining his seat through the 2022 election. During this period, he continued his work on TBI awareness, consumer protection, and various issues of concern to his northern New Jersey constituents.

Pascrell was also known for his participation in the annual Congressional Baseball Game, a charity event in which members of Congress from both parties compete. He was a longtime participant in the game and became one of its most recognized figures over the years.

Death

Pascrell died on August 21, 2024, in Livingston, New Jersey, at the age of 87. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey. His death created a vacancy in the 9th congressional district. Nellie Pou, who had previously succeeded Pascrell in the New Jersey General Assembly decades earlier, won the 2024 election to succeed him in Congress.

Personal Life

Pascrell was a lifelong resident of Paterson, New Jersey, and maintained deep roots in the community throughout his career. He had three children. His family remained active in New Jersey politics following his death. In 2025, the Pascrell family endorsed Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill in his campaign for Congress in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, reflecting the continued influence of the Pascrell name in North Jersey Democratic politics.

Recognition

Following his death, Pascrell received several posthumous honors reflecting his long service to New Jersey and the United States Congress.

Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame

In June 2025, Pascrell was posthumously inducted into the Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing his years of participation in the annual Congressional Baseball Game. By the time of his final season in the game in 2024, Pascrell had become one of its most recognized participants.

Paterson Great Falls Renaming

On May 13, 2025, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation authored by Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) to rename two prominent sites at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Pascrell. The bill passed with overwhelming support, reflecting bipartisan recognition of Pascrell's contributions to the Paterson community and his long career in public service.

William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway

In October 2025, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy joined the Pascrell family to officially designate Route 19 as the "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway." Route 19 runs through Paterson and the surrounding area, making the designation a fitting tribute to a politician whose career was inextricably linked to the city.

Legacy

Bill Pascrell's legacy is most closely associated with his decades of service to Paterson, New Jersey, and to the broader northern New Jersey region. From his years in the New Jersey General Assembly through his tenure as mayor and his more than 27 years in the United States Congress, Pascrell was a constant presence in the political life of the area. His career reflected a traditional model of urban Democratic politics in the northeastern United States, rooted in strong constituent service and community ties.

His advocacy on behalf of traumatic brain injury patients represented one of his most substantive legislative contributions. The continued reauthorization of TBI-related programs in Congress after his death reflected the lasting impact of his work in this area.

The multiple posthumous honors bestowed upon Pascrell—the renaming of sites at Paterson Great Falls, the designation of Route 19 as the William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway, and his induction into the Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame—attest to the regard in which he was held by colleagues and constituents alike. His successor in Congress, Nellie Pou, had first entered the New Jersey General Assembly as Pascrell's successor in 1997, creating a political lineage that spanned nearly three decades.

Pascrell's military service, his education at Fordham University, and his long career in government marked him as a figure whose public life encompassed many of the major themes of late 20th- and early 21st-century American politics: urban governance, congressional advocacy, and the challenges of representing diverse northern New Jersey communities.