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House bill would rename parts of Paterson Great Falls after Pascrell Jr.

By: John Connolly
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... The House of Representatives passed legislation on May 13 [2025] to rename two sites at Paterson Great Falls National Park in honor of late Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr., Representative Frank Pallone Jr. announced.
..... The two locations would be Bill Pascrell Jr. Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and Bill Pascrell Jr. Overlook Park. The bill now moves to the senate for consideration.
..... "Bill Pascrell spent his life fighting for the city that raised him," said Pallone, who authored the bill. "He believes in Paterson, in its people, and in preserving its proud place in our national story. Without bill, Great Falls wouldn't be a national park, and the story of Paterson's contribution to the American industrial revolution might have been lost to history."
..... Pascrell, the veteran Democrat who represented the Paterson area in Congress for nearly three decades, died in August 2024 at the age of 87. A Paterson resident and its former mayor, Pascrell was first elected to Congress in 1996 and had served on the House Ways and Means Committee since 2007.
..... Pascrell was instrumental in getting his childhood playground, the Great Falls, recognized as the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park during the administration of former President Barack Obama. He also served as co-chair of the Italian-American Congressional Delegation.
..... "Few public servants have shaped Paterson or New Jersey more than Bill Pascrell," said Representative Nellie Pou. who now holds Pascrell's seat. "He understood the importance of honoring our past while fighting for our future. ... I was proud to help lead this effort on the House floor in tribute to my friend and mentor. I look forward to its swift passage into law."

..... Staff Writer Katie Sobko contributed to this article.

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