Former congressman Roe dies at 90

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A longtime New Jersey congressman known for his commitment to public works projects has died.

Robert Roe was 90 when he passed away on Tuesday, said his nephew, Bobby Roe.

A Democrat, Roe entered the House of Representatives in 1969, when he won a vacant seat in a northern Jersey district. He was then re-elected 11 times before he retired in 1992.

Roe eventually rose in the House ranks to become chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, and after his retirement he remained active in transportation issues as a consultant.

Before being elected to the House, Roe served as the mayor of Wayne, a Passaic County freeholder and commissioner of the New Jersey Conservation and Economic Development Department.

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