Pascrell Accepts Legislator of the Year Award From Major County Sheriffs Association

Longtime co-chair of congressional law enforcement caucus addresses Major County Sheriffs’ Association

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the longtime co-chair of Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, accepted the 2019 Legislator of the Year Award from the Major County Sheriffs’ Association. The group reserves this annual award for individuals who play a vital role in the support of law enforcement, especially Sheriffs, across the nation.

“To say that I am honored to receive this award would be an understatement. Public safety is a critical issue for me and our community. As co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, it is always a pleasure to be on the front lines in Congress fighting for those who keep our communities safe” said Rep. Pascrell. “I am fortunate to work day in and day out with the terrific sheriffs of my congressional district to ensure that they and their officers have the support they deserve. I am extremely humbled to accept this award from the Major County Sheriffs Association today and I thank them for the work they do to protect our communities.”

“As a member of the Major County Sheriff’s Association, I am proud that Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. has been named Legislator of the year by the organization, “ said Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik. “I am proud of Congressman Pascrell’s accomplishments on behalf of law enforcement and his leadership on issues of importance to County Sheriffs. Bill’s entire public service career from being Paterson’s Mayor, a State Legislator and now in Congress has been focused on supporting the important work of law enforcement.”

“I would like to congratulate my friend and colleague Congressman Bill Pascrell on being named Legislator of Year by the Major County Sheriffs Association,” said Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton. “From working to protect the COPS program, bringing federal dollars back to pay for training, ensuring that our first responders have the necessary tools to do their jobs, or serving as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I know that law enforcement has no stronger ally in Washington than Bill Pascrell. I thank Congressman Pascrell for fiercely standing behind our first responders and look forward to working together to keep our families safe.”

The co-chair of the House Law Enforcement Caucus, Rep. Pascrell has been one of the foremost leaders in Congress in seeking to protect Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne JAG), COPS Hiring program and other key funding streams for state and local law enforcement. In December 2017, Pascrell and former Rep. Dave Reichert led 94 House of Representatives members demanding the release of all withheld Byrne JAG money. In July 2018, Pascrell stood in Newark City Hall with New Jersey elected officials in support of Attorney General Grewal’s new lawsuit against the Trump administration for continuing to hold hostage Byrne JAG and COPS Hiring program funds. And, in November 2017, Pascrell led New Jersey Democrats in demanding the Trump Administration disburse approximately $4 million in federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to New Jersey

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