“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my late friend and former governor, Jim Florio – a dedicated public servant who cared deeply for those in New Jersey and the nation.

“He served our country in the Navy. He continued that service when he returned home, in the New Jersey Assembly for four years, followed by 15 years in this House of Representatives. Then he returned to our state to become the 41st governor.

“He was an environmentalist long before it was popular. Here in Congress, he authored the Superfund act, one of the most remarkable pieces of legislation in terms of cleaning up hazardous sites across the country. As governor, he signed the clean water act, one of the strictest in the nation at the time. Combined, these achievements saved countless lives across this great country.

“He did not work through political division, but by doing what he knew was right. That’s why he received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

“On behalf of myself, the State of New Jersey, and the nation, we are grateful for this service to our state. We lost one of our greatest champions, and he will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.

“My deepest sympathies to his family and his loved ones.

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.”

Background

Congressman Donald Norcross grew up in South Jersey seeing then-Assemblyman Jim Florio at Labor Day events celebrating local labor hero Peter J. McGuire. Today, Congressman Norcross represents New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District, which the late Governor Florio represented in the U.S. House for 15 years before being elected Governor of New Jersey.