Senate Panel Passes Bill Designating Great Falls in Paterson
a National Historic Park
Bill Sponsored by Lautenberg, Menendez, Pascrell
Would Make N.J. Natural Treasure a Historic Landmark

WASHINGTON, N.J. – A Senate panel today passed legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) to designate the Great Falls in Paterson, New Jersey a National Historic Park.

“The Great Falls in Paterson is a landmark that deserves recognition as a national historic park.  Giving the Great Falls this designation would go a long way toward recognizing the beauty and history of the site and helping preserve it for future generations,” Sen. Lautenberg said.

Sen. Menendez said, “The Great Falls Park is a Garden State jewel -- it has one of the most impressive and picturesque falls in the country and also represents Alexander Hamilton’s unique vision of America come true.  No other site in the nation more richly represents the remarkable transformation of our rural agrarian society based in slavery into a modern global economy based in freedom.  We want to make sure these natural and historic resources are preserved for generations to come.”

“Approval of the Great Falls National Park Act through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is a major advancement in our campaign to fully embrace Paterson’s historic role in the making of America.  I am proud of the work that Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez have completed to reach this point and am encouraged by the growing bipartisan support in Congress to recognize the seminal role that Alexander Hamilton and the Great Falls played in creating America’s industrial economy,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed the bill unanimously, and it now proceeds to the Senate floor.  The House of Representatives already passed companion legislation in October 2007.

The bill would designate the Great Falls in Paterson as a National Historic Park, which would enable the park to receive federal funding.  The Great Falls is the second-highest waterfall in the eastern United States.

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