WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today released the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Jim Oberstar:

“Jim Oberstar was a mentor and a friend and a man of true purpose and grit. His purpose? To make life better for the people of northern Minnesota and our world. His method? Knowing all the facts and never giving up just like the people he represented.

“His life journey took him from the hard scrabble mines of northern Minnesota to the chairmanship of one of the most powerful committees in Congress.  He traveled the country and the world helping people, sharing knowledge and always speaking his mind, sometimes in French.

“Every miner should remember his work to keep the mines open and make them safer.  Every American who bikes the Minnesota bike trails, hikes the Lake Superior trail, and drives our national highways and bridges should remember Jim today.  He was a treasure trove of facts and figures for every member of Congress.

“To the end he loved Jean and his family, his Slovenian heritage, his long bike rides, and anything and everything about transportation policy.  We will miss him dearly.”

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