Cook County News Herald

Minnesota memorial services to celebrate the life of Jim Oberstar






 

 

Three memorial services being planned for the end of June will give the people of Minnesota the opportunity to celebrate the life of U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar. Oberstar served in Congress from 1975 to 2011. He was the longest-serving member of Congress in Minnesota history and served as the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Oberstar passed away at his home in Potomac, Maryland on May 3, 2014.

“His work in Congress will continue benefiting the people of northeast

Minnesota, the state and the nation for years to come,” said Bill Richard, who served as Oberstar’s top aid in Congress. Oberstar worked to create jobs in northeast Minnesota, staunchly supporting the mining, timber, shipping and tourism industries. He also brought new industries to his district, attracting Cirrus Aviation to Duluth to manufacture a new generation of high tech general aviation aircraft. As one of Congress’s leading figures on transportation, Oberstar was responsible for bringing billions of dollars to Minnesota for roads, bridges and recreational trails.

“It’s hard to even begin to sum up the amazing work he did on behalf of the state and the nation. He was the kind of congressman everyone wishes they had working for them,” said Richard. “He was willing to put politics aside to get things done for America.”

This week, memorial organizers launched a new website in honor of Oberstar’s legacy: jimoberstar.com. The site features photos and videos of Oberstar . Visitors are also able to post stories and memories of Oberstar on the site.

Memorial services are being planned for June 26 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the University of Minnesota’s Cowles Auditorium, in Minneapolis; June 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center; and 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chisholm.


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