August 23, 2024

Bob Cozzarelli, AIA, and Larry Parisi, AIA, meeting with Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. in his New Jersey District Office on September 5th, 2017, to discuss key issues concerning AIA and the federal government.

A Tribute to Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., a Friend of AIA

By Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA

I had the opportunity of meeting Bill Pascrell when I served on the Belleville Rotary. The year was 1997 and I was late for a local Rotary meeting. When I arrived, I sat in the rear of the room. Shortly after my arrival a gentleman quietly showed up and sat next to me. We immediately said hello to each other, shaking hands, and continued to engage in casual conversation. At first, neither of us exchanged names, but we found ourselves in a lively New York Yankees discussion. We talked baseball, like two old buddies. I told him, as a young boy, I saw Mantel, Marris and Berra play at Yankee Stadium, which at that point really elevated our baseball discussion. As we continued talking, we finally introduced ourselves. With that being said, Bill and I continued to enjoy our conversation. Then Bill asked me, “So Bob, what do you do for a living?” I proudly responded, “I’m an architect.” Then I asked Bill, “So what do you do?” and Bill said, “I’m a congressman.” Well, let me tell you I was surprised and thrilled that he took the time to talk to me. But our casual meeting and talk of baseball set the tone for our 27-year friendship.

Shortly, after meeting Congressman Pascrell I attended an AIA-NJ board meeting and the main agenda item was to strategize our AIA-NJ grassroots visit to Capital Hill. Our executive director and lobbyist, Joe Simonetta, spearheaded the advocacy briefing discussion. As he reviewed the issues and the list of congressmen, he came across Bill Pascrell, Jr. and identified him as a “freshman congressman.” He asked if anybody knew him and I immediately responded that I did. Joe asked how well and I simply said I know him well enough for the visit, as a constituent and to review the AIA’s agenda. I was young and Joe said he’d discuss my meeting the congressman further, which he did and the stage was set.

The day came for our trip to the Hill. As we walked the halls of Congress and neared Pascrell’s office our AIA New Jersey President at the time, Hal Lichtman, AIA, turned to me and asked, “Hey Cozz, are you sure you know Pascrell?” I said yes but the truth of the matter was I was hoping Bill remembered ME from the Rotary meeting. As we entered Congressman Pascrell’s suite, we were asked to wait a few minutes, so I endured Hal staring at me. Finally, we entered Bill’s office, and the first thing Congressman Pascrell did when he saw me was throw his arms wide and pull me into a sincere embrace with a kiss on the cheek. He said, “Bobby I miss talking to you about the Yankees!” Then he invited me to sit behind his desk while he met with the other constituents of our AIA-NJ group. I turned to Hal and said, “I told you.”

This was the beginning of an incredible, trusted friendship with one of the most sincere individuals I have ever known. Over the years Bill proved to be a friend of not only me but of AIA-NJ and AIA National. 

In 2006, AIA-NJ honored Congressman Pascrell with the Resident of the Year Award for his dedicated public service, efforts in recognizing design excellence through his policy-making and for promoting livable and sustainable communities.

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. will be missed by many people. He was a teacher, professor, mayor, congressman, and most of all everybody’s friend. He was an incredible and dedicated politician who touched hearts and made a difference. I will miss my friend Bill and may God rest his soul.

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in Legislative & Government Affairs | Tagged: #BillPascrellJr, #BobCozzarelliAIA, #BobCozzarelliFAIA, #CongressmanBillPascrell, #InTribute, #LandGA, #LarryParisiAIA, #legislativeandgovernmnetaffairs, #RobertCozzarelliFAIA | Comments (0)