[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF CONGRESSMAN JIM RAMSTAD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my 
friend and colleague, Congressman Jim Ramstad, as he retires from the 
U.S. House of Representatives.
  Congressman Ramstad is dedicated to public service. He served as a 
First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve after graduating from the 
University of Minnesota and then as a Criminal Justice attorney before 
being elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1981 and to the U.S. House of 
Representatives in 1990. Today, he is a member of the Board of 
Directors of Minnesota D.A.R.E and the Lake County Food Bank.
  Minnesota has been fortunate to have a leader like Congressman 
Ramstad representing us in the House of Representatives. Congressman 
Ramstad is one of a rare class of members who always puts policy above 
partisanship, and with his focus on law enforcement and health care, 
has made a real difference for families in Minnesota and across the 
country.
  He showed his immense courage and commitment by speaking about his 
own challenges with chemical dependency during his work on the Paul 
Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. His dedication to 
reducing the stigma associated with mental health and chemical 
dependency and ensuring fairness in health care has changed the lives 
of millions of Americans.
  Congressman Ramstad served on the Health Subcommittee of the Ways and 
Means Committee and has worked effectively on issues relating to health 
care access. As a freshman Member of the House, he recognized the 
growing importance of technology to health care and to Minnesota's 
economy, and started the Medical Technology Caucus. This caucus has 
brought much needed attention to the field of medical technology and 
created a forum for Members and staff to learn more about these 
important innovations.
  His important work in this area also has a global reach. I was proud 
to have Jim as a partner in introducing legislation to expand access to 
voluntary family planning in developing countries.
  It has been an honor to serve alongside Congressman Ramstad in the 
Minnesota Delegation for the last 7 years. I have learned a lot from 
him, and will miss him. However, Minnesotans can rest assured that 
Jim's public service will continue long after he leaves Congress.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the service of Congressman 
Jim Ramstad in the U.S. House of Representatives.

                          ____________________