Biography

02/12/1945 - 05/15/2024

ROEBUCK, James R., Jr., a Representative from Philadelphia County; born, February 12, 1945 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pa.; graduated, Central High School, 1963; B.A., Virginia Union University, 1966; M.A., University of Virginia, 1969; Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1977; lecturer, assistant professor, Drexel University (1970-1984); unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1976, 1978); legislative assistant, Office of the Mayor, Philadelphia (1984-1985); member, 60th Ward Democratic Executive Committee, 7th Division (1974-1976); 2nd vice-chair, 46th Ward Democratic Committee, 25th Division (1980-1984); 1st vice-chair, 46th Ward Democratic Committee, 25th Division (1984-1986); member, Democratic State Committee (1984-1990); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a Special Election on May 21, 1985; Sworn-In, June 3, 1985 to serve the remaining 1985 term; reelected to the House for 17 more consecutive terms; appointed, Select Committee to Study the Feasibility of a Harrisburg University (1990); appointed, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (1991-1995); appointed, Task Force on Higher Education Funding (1994); appointed, board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) (1995-2020); appointed, Public School Building Construction and Reconstruction (PlanCon) Advisory Committee (2016-2018); appointed, Special Education Funding Commission (2019-2020); appointed, Higher Education Funding Commission (2019-2020); unsuccessful campaign for reelection to the House (2020); died, May 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.