Kaptur Statement on Passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell

Toledo, Ohio – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) released the following statement on the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-09):

“May I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the staff, constituents, loved ones and dear friends of Congressman Bill Pascrell. Bill was a precious friend, a rugged human being, and a keen intellectual. His passionate, unrelenting spirit served as an indefatigable force for good. On a most difficult Congressional Committee, his true service resulted in progress for America, our people, and our democracy. 

“He took his oath to heart as a dogged fighter for the underdog. He served all of New Jersey and America’s hard working families and those left behind. He possessed a royal sense of humor coupled with his fierce intellect that tore into falsehood. He took on rigged systems of both enterprise and governance. He could see through chicanery of every form.

“His able and dutiful service on the Ways and Means Committee proved the common person always had the strongest representation. He remained true to the average Joe and Jane throughout his years of public service. His absence will be felt deeply by his beloved wife of 62 years Elsie, his sons David, Glenn, and William III, his five grandchildren who he so adored, and his close band of buddies in the Congress and in the Italian American community in Paterson and beyond. 

“Personally, our House colleagues and I deeply feel his loss and remain grateful  for his genuine leadership and true friendship. May the angels of mercy usher his spirit to a place of abiding watchfulness, eternal vigilance, and inspiration as I know he would wish.”

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