“Tammy and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Congressman Bill Pascrell, a giant of New Jersey and a lifelong champion for our most vulnerable neighbors.

“A son of the south side of Paterson, Bill developed a passion for public service at a young age. He grew up in a tight-knit Italian American family that instilled in him a tireless work ethic, a deep devotion to giving back to his community, and an unwavering instinct for drawing strength from our state’s diversity. He was a unifier in every sense of the word— and always sought to bring the people of New Jersey together around our shared principles.

“For Bill, public service came in many forms. He educated our nation’s students as a history teacher, as well as an adjunct professor. He served our nation in uniform. And he also served our neighbors in the Silk City as Mayor, as well as a member of the State Assembly.

“But for many New Jerseyans, Bill will be remembered most fondly for leading the fight for our families in Congress over the past 27 years. At every stage of his Congressional career, he stood up for our neighbors by defending access to reproductive health care, keeping our communities safe from gun violence, supporting our law enforcement officers and first responders, protecting our natural wonders — like Paterson’s Great Falls — and so much more.

“Throughout his life, Bill proved to all of us what it means to live up to our New Jersey values. Tammy and I will miss him dearly.

“We send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his wife, Elsie, as well as their three children — Bill, David, and Glenn — and six grandchildren.”