U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Rep. Rick Nolan, announced that their bill to rename portions of Highway 35 in memory of former Rep. Jim Oberstar has passed the House. Oberstar, who passed away May 3, was born in Chisholm and represented the people of northern Minnesota for 36 years.
Klobuchar and Franken have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Born in Chisholm, Jim never forgot his roots,” Klobuchar said. “He took the fighting spirit of the people of northern Minnesota to Washington, and he used it to support critical transportation projects in our state. It’s only fitting that one of our state’s highways bear Jim’s name as a lasting marker of his legacy of service, and today’s action moves us one step closer to making that happen.”
“When Jim Oberstar passed away, he left a remarkable legacy—in Minnesota and all around the country,” Franken said. “By the time Jim—a consummate public servant—rose to the chairmanship of the House Transportation Committee, he knew more about transportation than anyone in this country. It’s fitting that these sections of highway ultimately be renamed in his honor.”
“Through recessions, budget deficits, gas shortages and challenges of every kind, Jim Oberstar never wavered in his support for the interstate highway system because he understood how vital it is to our ability to create good jobs and literally drive our economy forward,” Nolan said.
The lawmakers have also introduced a bill to rename the Chisholm post office after the former chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That legislation also passed the Senate.
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