[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             MARGIE SEMLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Margie Semler's 
leadership and dedication to the community of Passaic and the citizens 
of New Jersey. To honor her years of commitment, her friends, family, 
and colleagues joined together in October to celebrate her amazing 
career.
  Margie Semler, daughter of Max and Riva Orlin, a life-long resident 
of Passaic, New Jersey, was born on June 22, 1923. In 1941, she moved 
to Passaic with her husband Mac and for the next eleven years began her 
career in government, where she took a part-time job at a junkyard run 
by the city's public works department.
  While raising and tending to her two young children along with her 
fun loving, good natured husband Mac, she decided to run for a seat on 
the Passaic Board of Education. For the next 6 years while on the Board 
of Education she began her illustrious career as a public servant in 
which she earned the respect of the residents in the City of Passaic.
  Margie decided to further her career and passion for serving the 
people of Passaic. For the next sixteen years, she was able to serve 
the residents while on the Passaic City Council. Her passion to being a 
public servant drove her ambitions when she was elected as the Mayor of 
the City of Passaic in 1993. She became the first and only female mayor 
to serve for eight years during her term from 1993-2001.
  In 2005, Margie was indicted into the New Jersey Elected Officials 
Hall of Fame. She has been and remains to be a vital asset to the City 
of Passaic. Margie is an active participant in various public and civic 
organizations. She has a great love for animals and an even greater 
affection for the city in which she has called her home for nearly her 
entire life.
  Margie continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Passaic 
Head Start and remains an avid supporter of the families and children 
in the City of Passaic. As a result of her tireless dedication and 
commitment to the people of Passaic, the staff, policy council, and the 
Board of Directors of the Passaic Head Start have renamed their 
building to the Margie Semler Education Center in her honor.
  Margie is married to the late Mac Semler and have two children, 
Lorrie and Marc.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the 
services of individuals like Ms. Semler.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Ms. Semler's family, 
friends, and all those whose lives she has touched, and me, in 
recognizing Margie Semler for her dedication to her family and her 
nation.

                          ____________________