[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               COMMEMORATING REPRESENTATIVE JIM OBERSTAR

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                         HON. PETER A. DeFAZIO

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, today we gather to honor Congressman Jim 
Oberstar, a true gentleman of the House who ably represented 
Minnesota's 8th District for 36 years. He was a fixture of the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee starting as staff in the 
1960s and 1970s, and then as a member and finally Chairman from 2007 to 
2011. I was blessed to work, and sometimes ride, alongside Jim for many 
years.
   As a tireless advocate on transportation issues, Jim earned well-
deserved admiration in many circles, including in my home state of 
Oregon. He accompanied me on tours as an advocate for increased 
infrastructure investment. Jim truly understood the importance of the 
investment as a way to create American jobs, improve safety, and build 
roads and bridges to accommodate a 21st Century economy. His passion 
and leadership are evident in projects across the country.
   Jim was also an avid cyclist, and I am grateful I had the 
opportunity to show him my state in 2007 during the Cycle Oregon event. 
He was one tough athlete, easily outpacing cyclists half his age.
   Like many people in Washington, DC, Minnesota and beyond, I feel 
fortunate to consider Jim not only a colleague, but a friend and a 
mentor. I only wish he had lived long enough to share all of his 
knowledge with the rest of us.
   My sympathy goes out to his loved ones, including his wife, Jean.

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