[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 150 (Wednesday, December 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1781-E1782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   JAMES L. OBERSTAR MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2014

  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

[[Page E1782]]

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.

                          ____________________