October 30, 2008
A RECENT endorsement for Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, came from an unexpected place: Esquire magazine.
In an election feature that included short endorsements in every congressional race in the nation, Esquire praised Pascrell for his low profile:
"Know why you've never heard of Bill Pascrell? Because he's been ignoring you and the rest of the world in favor of his constituents."
Pascrell has a much higher profile in North Jersey, but the favorable conclusion is the same. He works hard, and he gets things done. In recent years, Pascrell has been particularly successful in getting federal funding for traumatic brain injury. Many soldiers returning from Iraq have suffered massive brain injuries that will require a lifetime of treatment. The funding provides services in brain injury centers and also research that benefits anyone with such an injury, not just veterans. Such research also helps athletes who suffer concussions in sports, such as football and hockey.
The congressman was instrumental in bringing a four-day brain injury conference recently to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson.
Pascrell has been strong on immigration issues, pushing for reform that combines compassion with security. His district office is known for its effectiveness in helping constituents, including those with immigration questions. He supports Imam Mohammad Qatanani, the respected Muslim religious leader in Passaic County, in his continuing fight to avoid deportation and become a permanent resident.
Pascrell has also played a large role in securing funding for North Jersey transportation projects and for the ongoing cleanup of the Passaic River.
Pascrell says he sees his job as a congressman to be a "strong voice for those who have no voice," and he has done that job well for 12 years in a district with both urban and suburban residents and many different ethnic groups of different faiths. Pascrell deserves reelection to a seventh term.
His opponent in this race, Roland Straten, a businessman from Montclair, is well-informed on the issues facing the district.
He favors offshore drilling. He believes we are "on the verge of victory" in Iraq and does not support withdrawing the troops.
Asked how Congress should help people facing foreclosure on their homes, if at all, Straten said the best thing Congress can do is "create a business-friendly environment where we have a growing economy where people have jobs and they can get reasonable credit. We don't need unreasonable regulations and unreasonable policies."
In contrast, Pascrell has voted for measures, including the second federal bailout package, that include help for homeowners facing foreclosure because of the subprime mortgage crisis. That help is essential to saving homes and neighborhoods.
Straten should consider running again for public office, perhaps on the state level. The state Republican Party needs knowledgeable candidates like him.
But Bill Pascrell continues to be an excellent congressman in the 8th District. The Record endorses Pascrell.
