Although the late U.S. Congressman James Oberstar is generally revered by citizens of the 8th Congressional District, the introduction of H.R. 4926 to designate two Minnesota roadways in his honor met with dismay this week. There was no opposition to the naming of a segment of Interstate Route 35 (I-35) as the James L. Oberstar Memorial Highway, however the idea of naming Highway 61 the James L. Oberstar National Scenic Byway, was deemed inappropriate by the North Shore Scenic Drive Council.
U.S. Representative Rick Nolan, who is serving in Congressman Oberstar’s former seat, introduced the bill in the House committee on transportation and infrastructure on June 20, 2014. The bill was supported by his Minnesota congressional colleagues Tim Walz, Erik Paulsen, Keith Ellison, Michele Bachmann, Betty McCollum, Collin Peterson and John Kline.
Members of the North Shore Scenic Drive Council met on September 16 to discuss the proposed legislation and drafted a resolution to ask that Highway 61 not be included in the bill. Andy Hubley of the Arrowhead Regional Planning Division summed up the resolution in a note to supporters of the North Shore Scenic Drive:
1. The Council appreciates all that
Congressman Oberstar has done for the Drive and the North Shore. We hold him in the highest regard and want to memorialize him in some way.
2. The Council has existed since 2000 and all our efforts in marketing, promotions, collaborations, and enhancements have come under the North
Shore Scenic Drive name. There is
(sic) whole network of actions in our public lands and private businesses that have evolved under that name.
3. The North Shore Scenic Drive is an iconic place. It is a premier driving destination in the State, the Midwest and even the nation. People know what it is under that name.
4. There are alternate opportunities. New waysides are being built and planned.
Opportunities for memorialization are many.
In that note, Hubley said ARDC had contacted Congressman Nolan’s Washington staff to discuss the legislation. Hubley wrote that the staff member, Jim Swiderski, gave his word that the North Shore Scenic Drive portion of the legislation would be removed and only the I-35 naming portion would be moving on to upcoming committee meetings.
“We agreed to work together in the near future to find the best way to memorialize Mr. Oberstar on the North Shore,” said Hubley.
This latest proposal to rename an iconic piece of the North Shore is reminiscent of an action suggested by late Congressman Oberstar himself. In May 2000, he briefly considered introducing legislation to rename Eagle Mountain after the passing of his colleague Congressman Bruce Vento in recognition of his “relentless and effective advocacy” of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. After citizen feedback in opposition, Oberstar decided not to introduce the legislation.
Leave a Reply