Congresswoman Pou Praises Pascrell Park Renaming Advancement

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today celebrated the passage in the House Natural Resources Committee of H.R. 249, legislation to rename facilities at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in honor of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Congresswoman Pou is co-leading the bill with Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06).

“Few men in our New Jersey’s rich history have had a greater impact on Paterson than Bill Pascrell,” said Congresswoman Pou. “Congressman Pascrell dedicated his entire life to public service and the betterment of our community. It was Bill’s years of work that finally led to Great Falls being recognized as a national historic park. In the years to come, generations of Americans visiting Great Falls will learn the role of Paterson as an engine of our nation’s growth. Once this bill becomes law, so too will they learn about Bill Pascrell and his contributions that made Paterson and New Jersey so special. Thank you to Congressman Pallone for driving our efforts to recognize Congressman Pascrell.”

“Bill Pascrell made sure Paterson’s place in history would never be forgotten, and now it’s time to make sure his isn’t either,” said Congressman Pallone. “Honoring him at the Falls is a fitting tribute to a man who gave everything he had to this city and to the people he served.”

For years, Congressman Pascrell led the fight in Congress to make Great Falls a national park. In 2009, Pascrell introduced the Great Falls National Historical Park Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama later that year. 

If signed into law, Pou and Pallone’s bill will rename two significant landmarks at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park – the Great Falls Scenic Overlook Trail Bridge and Overlook Park – in honor of Pascrell’s contributions to securing the national designation of the park and of his deep commitment to his hometown and New Jersey’s rich industrial history.

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