Congressman Jim Oberstar
Staff reports
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota presented Congressman Jim Oberstar with the 2009 Lutheran Services in America (LSA) Congressional Award on September 2 at First Lutheran Church in Duluth.
LSA is as an alliance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, and its nearly 300 health and human service organizations.
Oberstar received the award for his support on many social issues affecting the lives of Minnesota residents, including his leadership on adoption, youth homelessness and life-long support of people in need. While Oberstar was recognized for his well-known leadership on transportation issues, his work to promote safety and opportunity for youth who are homeless in northeastern Minnesota was commended as well.
Among those who expressed their gratitude for the work of Congressman Oberstar at the event were Duluth Mayor Don Ness, April Larson, pastor of First Lutheran Church in Duluth, and Nicki Patnaude, who is a past recipient of youth services at Lutheran Social Service who now helps youth in her work.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota began in 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage for children near Red Wing. Today, Lutheran Social Service helps 100,000 Minnesotans each year live and work in community with safety, dignity and hope through the work of 2,200 staff and 11,000 volunteers.
More information may be found by visiting the organization’s website at www.lssmn. org.
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