RELEASE: Gottheimer Commemorates the Life of Darren Drake with Family and the North Jersey Community

Highlights Bipartisan Darren Drake Act Signed into Law to Combat Terror

Mar 16, 2023
Press
Above: Gottheimer with Darren Drake’s parents, Barbara and Jimmy Drake.

NEW MILFORD, NJ — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer joined with the North Jersey community and the family of Darren Drake to commemorate his life and highlight the bipartisan Darren Drake Act that was recently signed into law to help combat lone-wolf terror. Darren was tragically killed in the 2017 NYC West Side Highway terrorist truck attack.

The community also came together to honor the work of the Darren Drake Foundation, which has helped award scholarships to deserving high school students interested in pursuing vocational education.

Gottheimer’s bipartisan Darren Drake Act, signed into law in December 2022, will help stop ISIS-inspired, lone-wolf, and other domestic terrorists from easily acquiring trucks and other vehicles used as weapons of war to wreak havoc and cause mass destruction and death. Working closely with vehicle rental companies, and in consultation with federal, state, and local law enforcement, the bipartisan legislation requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy and take concrete steps to stop vehicular terrorist attacks and save lives.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been more than five years since an ISIS-inspired lone wolf terrorist rented a vehicle, used it as a weapon of terror on the West Side Highway, and took Darren from the Drakes. In those five years, I’ve seen unimaginable strength in Barbara and Jimmy Drake, from New Milford, and the entire North Jersey community. It has been an honor to continue Darren’s legacy with the Darren Drake Act and an incredible sight to see the outpouring of support for local students through the Darren Drake Foundation,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “We must never give into the threat of extremism, and the Darren Drake Act is an example of what we can achieve as Americans when we come together to make positive change. There is nothing political or partisan about it. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is an important addition to our arsenal as we continue to eradicate threats of terror at home and abroad.”

Below: Gottheimer at Darren Drake’s commemoration party.

###

Recent Posts


Mar 27, 2023
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer Combats “Change of Address” Fraud and Identity Theft

Criminals fraudulently redirecting victims’ mail, stealing bank statements and Social Security numbers, opening credit cards Above: Gottheimer with a North Jersey victim of “change of address” fraud outside the Paramus Post Office on East Midland Avenue. PARAMUS, NJ — Today, March 27, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced new action to combat the shocking surge […]



Mar 23, 2023
Press

RELEASE: Gottheimer, North Jersey Law Enforcement Convene Roundtable to Address Drastic Rise in Burglaries and Auto Theft — Organized Burglary Rings Targeting Indian Americans, AAPI Communities

Joined by Local Police Chiefs, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, NJ State Police, and FBI Above: Gottheimer with local, state, and federal law enforcement for a roundtable discussion focused on combating burglaries and auto theft. NORTH JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the bipartisan Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, and local, […]



Mar 23, 2023
Press

STATEMENT: Gottheimer Statement on the Anti-Defamation League’s 2022 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents

Antisemitic incidents rose 36% in New Jersey in 2022 — the highest level of incidents ever recorded NEW JERSEY — Today, May 23, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), the only Jewish member of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, released the following statement regarding the release of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) 2022 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents: […]