James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway

Floor Speech

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Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution
4926, to designate a segment of Interstate Route 35 in the State of
Minnesota as the ``James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway.'' This
legislation would designate the segment of Interstate Route 35 between
milepost 133 at Forest Lake, Minnesota, and milepost 259 at Duluth,
Minnesota, as the ``James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway.''

Renaming these highways is a good way to memorialize Congressman
Oberstar's contributions to Minnesota and our country. Born to an
underground miner from Chisholm, Minnesota, Jim Oberstar served as a
representative for the state of Minnesota for 36 years, totaling 18
terms from 1975 to 2011. He is the longest-serving congressman in Minnesota history.

During his over thirty years of service to our state, Jim always put
Minnesotans first. He was a public servant above all else. He had a
gifted mind and an uncanny memory that helped him master a number of
languages, including Haitian Creole. Jim's passion for helping people
get from one place to another safely was contagious and his vision for
Minnesota's future lives on as the projects he fought for as chairman
of the Transportation Committee remain in Minnesota today.

After the Interstate 35 Bridge collapsed in Minnesota, Jim authored
legislation which authorized $255 million without delay to begin the
recovery and rebuilding process. His effective leadership was essential
in that time of crisis. In addition to helping rebuild the I-35 Bridge,
Jim was responsible for the Gitchi-Gami trail along Lake Superior's
North Shore, the lakewalk in Duluth, and the 120-mile long Paul Bunyan
bike trail.

Jim Oberstar embodied the Minnesotan values of public service,
selflessness and compassion. His spirit, ideas and energy are deeply
missed. For these reasons, I support this legislation.

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