The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) mourns the passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., a proud Italian American and tireless advocate for the Italian American community. Pascrell, who represented New Jersey's 9th Congressional District for nearly three decades, died on Wednesday at the age of 87.

"Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. was a dear friend and unwavering supporter of NIAF," said NIAF Chairman Bob Carlucci.  "Throughout his distinguished career in public service, Bill remained deeply committed to honoring and celebrating our shared Italian heritage.  He was a true champion for causes important to Italian Americans, and his loss will be deeply felt by all those who had the privilege of knowing him." 

Pascrell was widely recognized for his unwavering support of Italian American issues, serving as co-chair of the bipartisan Italian American Congressional Delegation alongside Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV). Together, they worked to establish October as Italian and Italian American Heritage Month, penning numerous resolutions to commemorate the contributions of Italian Americans. 

Pascrell was also a staunch defender of Columbus Day, leveraging his position to protect the federal holiday that honors the legacy of the pioneering Italian explorer. He was a regular attendee at NIAF events in Washington, D.C., including the annual bipartisan Bocce Ball Tournament, which he won several times. 

In 2021, NIAF honored Pascrell with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service, recognizing his decades of service and steadfast advocacy on behalf of the Italian American community.

"Congressman Pascrell's passing is a profound loss for the Italian American community and all those who believe in the power of public service," Carlucci added. "We are grateful for his unwavering dedication and will miss his passion, energy, and fierce commitment to the Italian American legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."