Political Quotes

“I'd like to thank the gentlelady from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum) for organizing tonight's Special Order. I said 4 years ago, no one in the history of Congress became chairman of a committee who was better prepared than Jim Oberstar. From the time he started here working in 1963 for John Blatnik, through all these years, it was not just Jim's experience and expertise that made him such a great chairman and great Member, but also his work ethic, his willingness to reach out across the aisle, and ability to get the job done. Jim Oberstar always had a thoughtful and thorough approach to policy- making. There is a simple reason why he was known as Mr. Transportation. It's because from aviation, to highways and transit, to maritime transportation, to water infrastructure and public buildings, and of course, to cycling, he has truly shaped the way we think about transportation and infrastructure. During my four years of service on the House T&I Committee, I can honestly say not a day went by in that committee room where I did not learn something from Jim Oberstar, and I would have learned more if only I knew more than a dozen French words--although I do know Tour de France, and Jim taught me a few things about cycling, both on and off the bike, and those who know Jim know he truly is a Renaissance man. Now, at the same time we talk about everything that's happened here in Washington, Jim knew, he knows that you have to be hands on.…”