To redesignate certain facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.

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.

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.

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. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Pou).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

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.

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

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.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call Votes on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner YEA on Roll Call No. 123, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H. Con. Res. 30, and YEA on Roll Call No. 124, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree to H.R. 249.