Gottheimer, Pascrell commemorate tenth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy
Gottheimer Helped Craft and Pass Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to Improve Water Infrastructure, Climate Resiliency
NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9) Friday joined together with local leaders and the North Jersey community to remember the devastating impact Superstorm Sandy wreaked on our state and families ten years ago.
Superstorm Sandy took more than 100 lives, including 40 souls in New Jersey. More than 300,000 homes were destroyed or damaged, businesses were lost, and roads and bridges crumbled. In total, New Jersey suffered more than $30 billion in damage.
Gottheimer announced new steps taken to better prepare Jersey for generations to come and ensure our communities and infrastructure are resilient and ready for future storms.
“We will never forget those who perished during Superstorm Sandy and the storm’s impact on New Jersey. Looking back, it’s hard to comprehend the magnitude of the devastation. What was clear was that, because of our brave police, firefighters, EMTs, and servicemembers, countless lives were saved during Sandy. Our heroes who ran toward danger. It’s just one of the many reasons we must always get your backs,” Gottheimer said. “After the way Sandy, Ida, and so many other intense storms have hit our communities, it’s clear that we must do better — to be prepared, to protect our infrastructure, and to respond and recover. We must be prepared for the intense impact the changing climate is having on our communities here — storms, flooding, erosion, rising water levels.”
New federal investment clawed back from Washington for natural disaster preparation, infrastructure, and first responders includes:
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill — which Gottheimer helped craft and pass — to invest in climate and storm resiliency to deal with the flooding, fires, and storms, and help protect against droughts, heat, floods, and wildfires, in addition to a major investment in weatherization. It also will help repair our crumbling roads, bridges, rails, and our public transit, and makes significant investments in water systems, broadband connectivity, and electric vehicle chargers. The North River Tunnel, which connects 20% of the nation’s GDP between New York and New Jersey, is 113 years old and flooded during Sandy — resulting in serious damage. Investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill are helping build the new Gateway Train Tunnel and Portal North Bridge, to alleviate our reliance on the North River Tunnel.
- The Inflation Reduction Act — which Gottheimer helped pass, makes critical, commonsense climate investments. As part of an All-of-the-Above energy plan, this legislation also makes investments in clean energy and will help cut down greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change.
- More of our federal tax dollars coming back to North Jersey communities and first responders to help us here — The federal Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) equipment program, Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), and Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants help ensure our first responders have what they need to keep our communities safe. Gottheimer helped many of our communities claw back resources for high-water vehicles, ambulances, and more. This year, the Fifth District clawed back more than $1.6 million in Assistance to Firefighters Grants — a critical resource that will help equip our firefighters with Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses, turnout gear, and more. Since Gottheimer took office, New Jersey’s Fifth District has clawed 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States, helping to lower our property taxes and make life more affordable and safer.
Gottheimer was joined in Lodi by Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9), Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Lodi Mayor Scott Luna, Lodi Deputy Mayor Vincent Martin, Lodi Councilman Albert DiChiara, Executive Director of the NJ Organizing Project Amanda Devecka-Rinear, Felician University President Retired Vice Admiral James W. Crawford, III, Felician University Vice President External Relations Maura DeNicola, Lodi Boys and Girls Club Director Joseph Licata.