New Jersey-2018-A5962-Introduced

An Act designating State Highway Route 19 as the "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway."

Whereas, The Honorable William "Bill" J. Pascrell Jr., a man whose service to the State of New Jersey has spanned over 30 years, was born on January 25, 1937 in the City of Paterson; and

Whereas, A life-long resident of the City of Paterson, Congressman Pascrell attended St. George's Elementary School and graduated from St. John the Baptist High School in 1955, before graduating from Fordham University with a bachelor's degree in 1959 and a master's degree in 1961; and

Whereas, An honorable and courageous man who enjoys serving others, Congressman Pascrell began his career in public service by serving the country in the United States Army and later the United States Army Reserve, from which he received an honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant in 1967; and

Whereas, Prior to the start of his political career, Congressman Pascrell shaped young minds as a high school teacher and an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University; and

Whereas, As a pillar in the community in Passaic County, Congressman Pascrell served in numerous public offices, including as a member of the City of Paterson Planning Board, Director of Policy for the City of Paterson, President of the Paterson Board of Education, Chairman of the Passaic County Democratic Committee, and Vice President and member of the Board of Trustees of Passaic County Community College; and

Whereas, In 1987, Congressman Pascrell was elected to serve in the New Jersey General Assembly and, in 1990, as Mayor of the City of Paterson and served in both positions until 1996; and

Whereas, In 1996, Congressman Pascrell was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent the 8th Congressional District of New Jersey, until 2013 when the district was reapportioned and renumbered as the 9th Congressional District, which he has represented since that date; and

Whereas, During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Pascrell was appointed to the Ways and Means Committee, which was the first committee established by the U.S. Congress, and was an original member to the House Committee on Homeland Security; and

Whereas, A consistent advocate for the State and his district, Congressman Pascrell assisted in securing funding for the new Passaic County Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in the City of Paterson and the designation of the Great Falls of the Passaic River as a national park; and

Whereas, In honor of his service to the community and the State, Congressman Pascrell has received several awards, including the Mayor of the Year Award from the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and the Legislator of the Year Award from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, has been honored by numerous community organizations, including the Department of New Jersey of the Jewish War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, the Brain Injury Association of America, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Ceasefire New Jersey, and has received Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from William Paterson University and Bloomfield College; and

Whereas, With an unwavering devotion to the residents of this State, it is fitting and proper for the Legislature to honor the public service career of Congressman Pascrell by designating the entire length of State Highway Route 19 as the "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway"; now, therefore,

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the entire length of State Highway Route 19, extending from milepost 0 to milepost 3.04, as the "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway" and erect appropriate signs bearing this designation and dedication.

2. State or other public funds shall not be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act. The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive gifts, grants, or other financial assistance from private sources for the purpose of funding or reimbursing the Department of Transportation for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation established pursuant to section 1 of this act and entering into agreements related thereto, with private sources, including but not limited to non-governmental non-profit, educational, or charitable entities or institutions. Work shall not proceed and funding shall not be accepted by the Department of Transportation until an agreement has been reached with a responsible party for paying the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining the signs.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill designates the entire length of State Highway Route 19 as the "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway" to honor the public service career of Congressman Pascrell, who has served the City of Paterson, Passaic County, and the State of New Jersey for over 30 years.

Consistent with Department of Transportation policy and other road designations, the bill provides that State or other public funds are not to be used for producing, purchasing, or erecting signs bearing the designation for the "William J. Pascrell Jr. Highway" The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to receive financial assistance from private sources for the costs associated with producing, purchasing, erecting, and maintaining signs bearing the designation.