It is with profound sadness that the Athletic Trainer’s Society of New Jersey acknowledges the passing of US Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr., who represented the 9th Congressional District for 14 terms, right up until his passing on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Rep. Pascrell, who was raised in Paterson, NJ, and served as mayor there before his service in the House, was a fierce proponent of many legislative initiatives. Still, we are most thankful for his leadership in getting federal recognition and legislation to help increase awareness of mild traumatic brain injuries. He was instrumental in heading the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force and emphasizing the seriousness of handling head injury protocols properly. He also pushed for other legislation that worked to create a safe environment for sports safety. In 2016, Rep. Pascrell was honored with our President’s Award, which recognizes those individuals who have significantly contributed to the profession of athletic training and sports safety at all levels. Bill Pascrell understood the importance of making sports safer for all, and in protecting those who sustained brain injuries, and he continued to work on legislation to champion these initiatives. We are forever grateful for his efforts. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family and those who mourn his loss.
Kenneth T. Cieslak
President