• Faith: Christian - Catholic
• Career: Politician
• Birthday:  January 25, 1937
• Date of Death:  August 21, 2024

Bill Pascrell was a politician who was the U.S. representative from New Jersey from 1997 until his death in 2024. Pascrell was a member of the Democratic Party.

Born in 1937, Pascrell grew up in a tight-knit Italian-American family on the south side of Paterson, where he was instilled with values of hard work, faith, and service. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school and later earned degrees in Journalism and Philosophy from Fordham University

After his education, Pascrell served in the United States Army, an experience that reinforced his sense of duty and service. Upon returning home, he became a high school history teacher and later an adjunct professor, roles that allowed him to influence and shape young minds. His career in education was marked by a deep commitment to helping his students understand the importance of civic duty and public service.

Pascrell's entry into politics was driven by a desire to give back to his community. He served as a State Assemblyman and later as Mayor of Paterson, where he focused on improving public safety, education, and the local economy. His efforts in these areas were widely recognized, and in 1996, he was elected to represent New Jersey's 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. After congressional redistricting, he continued to serve the newly configured 9th District, becoming one of the most senior members of the New Jersey delegation.

In Congress, Pascrell was known for his strong advocacy on issues such as tax fairness, healthcare, and environmental protection. He was a staunch supporter of the Affordable Care Act and worked tirelessly to protect it against efforts to repeal it. Pascrell also championed the cause of traumatic brain injury awareness, authoring several pieces of legislation to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this condition among veterans and young athletes.

On August 21, 2024, Pascrell's family announced he had passed away after serving 14 terms in Congress. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning. As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved," his family wrote in a statement.

Bill Pascrell's Religious Beliefs

Bill Pascrell was a devout Catholic. However, despite his many accomplishments, Pascrell's record on certain issues, particularly his support for abortion rights, was a point of contention within the Catholic community. Although he voted in favor of the partial-birth abortion ban, his overall pro-choice voting record led to criticism from some Catholic leaders, who urged him to reconcile his political actions with his faith.

 

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