The Hudson County Public Safety Training Center was renamed and dedicated to honor late U.S Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-9) at a ceremony in Secaucus earlier today.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
Pascrell served New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 until his passing in 2024, representing the 9th District, which included Secaucus and most of Kearny after redistricting occurred in 2013.
A lifelong resident of Paterson, officials recalled how he was a nationally recognized advocate for first responders, having authored landmark legislation in support of firefighters, police officers, and their families.
“Congressman Pascrell is an example of the true American story,” said Hudson County Board of Commissioner Chair Anthony Romano (D-5), noting Pascrell had praised him for being a Hoboken police captain who retired and entered politics.
“He’s the grandson of immigrants. He served his country in the Army as a veteran. And I think that says a lot. He became a teacher, then the mayor, then a congressman, and his years of service for his whole life, and his love of family.”
According to Romano, Pascrell was also heavily involved in fighting opioid epidemic, and he never forget the streets he came from in Paterson.
“I think the thing that Congressman Pascrell would be most happy about is to know that the law enforcement and fire officials get the proper training and equipment they need to serve, protect, and respect all of the people that they serve,” Romano said.
“That is the key. And to see here today, whether you’re Democrat or Republican, whether you’re at whatever level of government, because we don’t succeed unless all the levels of government work together, whether it be municipal, county, and if we’re lucky, state and federal … That’s the legacy that Bill would want to remember …”
Hosted by Joe Waks of the Hudson County Executive’s Office, members of the Pascrell family joined federal, state, county, and local officials for the ceremony.
Those included Rep. Rob Menendez (D-08) and Pascrell’s successor Rep. Nellie Pou, Assemblyman Jerry Walker (D-31), Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, and County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), among others.
Pascrell’s son, Bill Pascrell III, acknowledged his family’s great appreciation of the honor.
“County Executive Craig Guy, you and my dad were from the same cloth, streets guys- a cop and a teacher. And I know he loved you and I know he’s shining down,” Pascrell III said.
Pascrell III said his father first came to Hudson County in to help Jim Florio’s failed gubernatorial bid in 1981, because the county couldn’t agree on anybody local at the time.
According to Pascrell III, his father was very appreciative of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners, noting that O’Dea, Romano, and Walker often came to Paterson to help Pascrell win past elections.
“On behalf of my family, I want to thank all the Hudson County officials, all of you who gathered both from in and outside the county. This is a great honor, and I know my dad would be so jubilant.”
Pascrell III added that his father was a big fan of many of the officials speaking at the ceremony, but particularly was fond of Menendez.
“My dad absolutely adored Rob Menendez, just thought the world of him. I’ve become friendly with him. He’s a good man, and you’re fortunate to have him as your congressperson.”
Further, Pascrell III said his dad would be thrilled that Pou succeeded him as the first Latina in Congress.
“All of your presence and kind words today in recognition of our father and his service means a great deal to us. Our dad believed deeply in public service, working for the community and knowing his legacy is respected provides us with immense comfort,” he added.
“‘Aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport the world affords us.’ That was Teddy Roosevelt, 1927, and dad had that on his wall.”
According to Menendez, the facility will be a place for future public safety personnel to receive training and find the courage to “lead their communities forward.”
“It feels weird to be in Hudson honoring Bill because he was such a devout Patersonian. Everyone in Congress knows you spell it with one T. So this is a great honor because he loved Hudson. And I want to thank the Pascrell family for sharing him with us, because I get to see both ends of this,” expressed Menendez
.”He was a national treasure, and I’m so glad so many around the country got to experience him, not just those in New Jersey, but so many of his colleagues who still carry him with them every single day in their work. With law enforcement, fire, first responders, it was very similar. It was only about taking care of those who take care of us.”
According to Menendez, Pascrell acted as a mentor to him during his first term, often signing on as a co-sponsor to first responder-related legislation proposed by him, and recalling a time when he had an idea for a bill that was already in the works by Pascrell.
“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have spent those first two years in the house with Bill, and he was so generous with his time. He guided me through so much, and he was such a fighter,” he continued.
“At Bill’s funeral, during the priest’s remarks and eulogy, he said something that stuck with me … ‘Hope has two daughters, anger and courage: anger at the way things are and courage to do something about it.’ And Bill always had the courage to do something about what he saw that wasn’t right.”
Romano and other county officials presented the Pascrell family with a resolution commemorating the occasion before cutting the ribbon on the facility, located at 635 County Ave.
