Marge Roukema

1929 - 2014

Marge Roukema

1929 - 2014

BORN

1929

DIED

2014

Marge Roukema Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 12, 2014.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Marge Roukema, a New Jersey Republican who spent more than two decades in Congress sparring regularly with ideologues within her party, has died. She was 85.

A spokeswoman at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff said Roukema died at the nursing home early Wednesday. The cause was not disclosed.

Roukema represented northern New Jersey's 5th Congressional District from 1981 to 2003. She described herself through the years as a strong fiscal conservative. But on many social issues, she espoused a liberal Republican philosophy long associated with the Northeast.

She regularly broke with her party to vote with Democrats. She supported abortion rights, opposed school vouchers, voted for a 1994 ban on assault weapons, opposed term limits and supported a ban on unrestricted "soft money."

Her independence ended up costing her a committee chairmanship. But she said she was elected "to speak my mind, not to represent whomever in the Republican leadership or a faction of the Republican Party."

During the later years of her tenure, she was the longest-serving woman in Congress.

Female lawmakers were enough of a novelty in the early 1980s that female Republicans and Democrats got together in a bipartisan women's caucus.

"We were considered token women members and we didn't really have the ear of the leadership," Roukema said in a 2001 interview. "It's far different now."

Born Marge Scafati, she obtained a degree in history and political science at Montclair State University. She taught high school history and English before running for Congress — unsuccessfully in 1978, then successfully in 1980.

Roukema struggled at times as more conservative members of her party from regions outside the Northeast became more powerful on Capitol Hill. After Republicans seized control of the House in 1994, Roukema increasingly found herself assailed from the right.

Roukema maintained through the years that her tax record proved her conservative credentials. She voted against the tax hikes implemented under President Bill Clinton in 1993 and President George H.W. Bush in 1990, and she supported President Ronald Reagan's tax cut in 1981 and the GOP's unsuccessful $792 billion tax cut measure in 1999.

GOP leaders spurned Roukema's 2001 bid to become chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, even though she had seniority on her side. She declared herself "gravely disappointed" by the decision, which she said would invite "a negative perception of the Republican Party."

She subsequently turned down suggested consolation prizes, including the post of U.S. treasurer.

Roukema announced late in 2001 that she would not run for a 12th term in 2002. "I will miss being a voice for our party of the fiscal conservatives and social moderates," she said.

She also tried, but failed, to influence the selection of her successor. Republican State Assemblyman Scott Garrett, who had twice mounted primary challenges against her, calling her too liberal, handily won her seat in Congress in fall 2002, and continues in that post today. Roukema had endorsed another candidate in the 2002 GOP primary then declined to endorse either Garrett or his Democratic opponent in the general election.

---

BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI, Associated Press




Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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November 30, 2014

Someone posted to the memorial.

November 25, 2014

PAE posted to the memorial.

November 21, 2014

hattie posted to the memorial.

34 Entries

November 30, 2014

Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of Marge. May God give you the strength to face the days ahead. I hope you can find comfort in the words found at John 6:40.

PAE

November 25, 2014

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

hattie

November 21, 2014

I am sorry for the love one that you, have lost. we can ,only get the comfort, that we need from God. 2Corn. 1:10

Bratt

November 19, 2014

Marge Roukema was a woman, a leader, a politician who refused to be defined by others. She had her own beliefs, her own values, and her own voice; for this, we will be forever grateful. Rest peacefully, Marge Roukema, from your laborious but much appreciated work. Your life story has been indelibly stored in God's memory for you are indeed precious in his eyes. My heartfelt condolences to the loved ones left behind!

November 19, 2014

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Therese Mattner

November 18, 2014

You were a truly great person and friend, and I am so sorry to learn of your passing. May God continue to watch over your family.

Staff of The Forum School

November 17, 2014

We were so sad to hear of Marge's passing. Marge and Dick Roukema, our former psychiatric consultant, were so supportive of our program over the years. We feel grateful for Marge's outstanding service in Congress. Our deepest condolences to the Roukema family.

November 16, 2014

I am truly sorry for your loss. May the peace of God that excels all thoughts bring you comfort during this most difficult time.
Philippians 4:6,7.Marge Roukema is dearly missed.

November 15, 2014

Sorry for your loss. John 5:28

November 14, 2014

GOD BLESS

November 13, 2014

May God give comfort in these diffcult times.
John 5:28

Betty & Bob Gallinghouse

November 13, 2014

Marge, our dear friend. So many good memories. May you and Dick be joined again in heaven and God be with you.

B Lucas

November 13, 2014

Women are not inferior to men the Bible says that they are weaker vessel, meaning physically only. Accounts in the Bible show that both God and Jesus honored women. May all your fond memories of Marge make your family and friends smile. My sincere condolence.

November 13, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort your hearts and give you strength to cope during this difficult time.

November 13, 2014

Please have my condolences. Our days ebb away because of your fury; And our years come to an end like a whisper. The span of our life is 70 years, or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; They quickly pass by, and away we fly. Psalm 90:9,10

November 13, 2014

It was my pleasure and honor to campaign with Marge and to serve on her staff during her tenure. She was an extraordinary woman. May she rest in eternal peace. Maureen Broglia and family

K Mills

November 13, 2014

May you find comfort and strength from God's word, especially at this time of loss. Isaiah 12:2

J.J. Stre

November 13, 2014

I am very sorry for your loss.We expesrr our warm love and deepest sympathy for you and your family.I am sure that you will find much comfort from the bible at Acts 25:15.

eileen haney

November 13, 2014

To the family of Marge Roukema, I am very sorry for your loss of this caring & courageous wonderful lady. I will always remember her help with my husband's worker's compensation case. A truly caring lady.

November 13, 2014

One pain we never get use to and that's the pain of losing those we love whether family or those that made an impact in our lives like Marge has thru her career.

May the future plans for Earth by the God(Psalms 83:18)of All Comfort and Hope that includes awakening from sleep those in his memory to enjoy living on an Earth without today's problems.

Condolences to each of you and may Earth's future give you hope because of Numbers 23:19 quote,"God is not a mere man who tells lies.....When he says something, will he not do it? When he speaks will he not carry it out?"

Jane P.
California

Gail

November 13, 2014

My condolences to the family.

Joanne Scrivens

November 13, 2014

Meg, I am wishing you and your family peace and comfort at this most difficult time. Your mother was an amazing woman. She will always be with you.

DS

November 13, 2014

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

November 13, 2014

Sorry for your loss. She was so passionate for setting things right and so is God in the future with his heavenly Kingdom.

L K

November 13, 2014

November 13
Gone! but not forgotten. Those God keeps in his memory they become precious in his eyes, Psalms 116:5

November 13, 2014

To the family of MARGE ROUKEMA I send my sincere condolences. During this difficult time draw close to GOD and he will draw close to you.

sincerely,
JWJC

November 13, 2014

Sorry for your loss. May the "Peace of God"(Phillipians 4:6,7) be with you as you cope with such sorrow.

A Chavis

November 12, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

JEREMIAH 29:11,12 R.A.

November 12, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

November 12, 2014

May God comfort the family at this time of separation now and forever (Isa. 41:10).

R,r

November 12, 2014

To the Roukema Family,

I send my condolences during this diffucult time.

God says a time will come when death itself will be more and promises always come true.

November 12, 2014

Please accept the sympathy that I wish to convey.May God look kindly upon you in your time of bereavement,and give you peace.Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.jas.4:8.......nc

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November 30, 2014

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November 25, 2014

PAE posted to the memorial.

November 21, 2014

hattie posted to the memorial.