Bill Pascrell

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Bill Pascrell

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 1997–
Preceded by	Bill Martini
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	January 25, 1937 (age 70) Paterson, New Jersey
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Elsie Pascrell
Religion	Roman Catholic

William J. "Bill" Pascrell Jr. (b. January 25, 1937) is an American Democratic politician from the state of New Jersey, representing the state's Eighth Congressional district (map) in the House of Representatives. The district is based in Paterson and includes most of Passaic County and suburban Essex County.

Pascrell was born in Paterson, New Jersey and graduated from Fordham University with a degree in education. He spent 12 years as a high school teacher before being hired as a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Pascrell was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1988. He was also elected as Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey's third largest city, in 1990.

Pascrell gave up his seat as Mayor after he was elected to the House in 1996, defeating one-term Republican Bill Martini. He has been reelected five times, usually by a large margin.

In Congress, Pascrell serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Pascrell received an "A" on the Drum Major Institute's 2005 Congressional Scorecard on middle-class issues^[1].

Pascrell is an Italian American and has been outspoken about the representation of Italians-Americans in the media regarding what he sees as negative stereotypes in shows such as HBO's The Sopranos. His Italian heritage was famously questioned by comedian Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report, who alleged in an interview that Pascrell could not truly be of Italian descent because Italian surnames could not end in consonants. Pascrell angrily responded that "Sole" was an example of an Italian surname ending in a consonant.^[2]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell official House site
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Federal Election Commission - William J. Pascrell Jr. campaign finance reports and data
On the Issues - Bill Pascrell issue positions and quotes
OpenSecrets.org - Bill Pascrell Jr. campaign contributions
Project Vote Smart - Representative William J. 'Bill' Pascrell Jr. (NJ) profile
SourceWatch Congresspedia - Bill Pascrell profile
Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: Bill Pascrell voting record

Political offices
Preceded by William J. Martini	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 8th congressional district 1989–Present	Succeeded by Incumbent