Above: Gottheimer speaking at the Darren Drake Memorial in New Milford today.

NEW MILFORD – Today, Saturday, October 31, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) took part in a memorial ceremony for Darren Drake at New Milford Borough Hall, on the three year anniversary of the 2017 ISIS-inspired lone-wolf terrorist truck attack in New York City that took his life.

Gottheimer has worked with Darren’s parents, Barbara and Jimmy Drake, on bipartisan legislation — the Darren Drake Act — which will help thwart terrorist vehicle attacks by strengthening the information collected by vehicle dealers and rental agencies, and improving suspicious activity reporting to help law enforcement identify potential threats. Similar to the no-fly list, lone-wolf terrorists shouldn’t be able to rent a car or truck to attack our citizens.

“Darren was a hard worker, an avid learner, but he’ll be remembered most for his kindness towards others — as a supportive friend, a caring son, and a tireless advocate. When Darren served as the President of the New Milford Board of Education, he saw that there weren’t enough resources to support students pursuing careers in skilled labor. Always one to step forward when he saw an opportunity to help, Darren became an advocate for increasing support for students pursuing vocational careers,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m honored to be here today and I’m proud to be working with Jimmy and Barbara Drake to make sure a tragedy like this doesn’t happen again. We must double down on our fight against homegrown terror, particularly lone-wolf, ISIS-inspired terror.”

Gottheimer was joined by Barbara and Jimmy Drake, New Milford Mayor Mike Putrino, NJ Assemblyman Christopher Tully, New Milford Council President Ira Grotsky, and New Milford Councilmembers Randi Duffie, Hedy Grant, Thea Sirocchi-Hurley, Lisa Sandhusen, and Matt Seymour.

Below: Gottheimer standing with Darren’s parents, Barbara and Jimmy Drake, today to observe the drive-by memorial for Darren Drake.