[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MOURNING THE LOSS OF CONGRESSMAN JIM OBERSTAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2014

  Mr. PETERSON. Mr. Speaker, this week there are so many of us mourning 
the loss of Congressman Jim Oberstar. He was a great leader for 
transportation and infrastructure, and did many good things for his 
district and all over the country. For years, I looked to him for his 
tremendous knowledge on transportation and water issues. We were 
fortunate to both serve at the same time as Chairmen of the 
Transportation and Agriculture Committees, respectively, but we used to 
jokingly say that he was my ``Secretary of Transportation'' and I was 
his ``Secretary of Agriculture''. I also used to tell him that when he 
was done paving over his district, he could get to work paving mine.
  But Congressman Oberstar was about so much more than transportation. 
He cared deeply about his district and the people who lived there. 
Countless times I would personally watch him bring 8th District issues 
directly to the leadership and to the caucus. He never forgot his 
roots, his passion was contagious, and his love for his family was 
deep. Jim Oberstar leaves a remarkable legacy in Minnesota and across 
the country.

                          ____________________