Nick Rahall: “Appalachia and Minnesota are losing a favorite son in the United States Congress when Jim Oberstar, my Chairman and my…”

“Appalachia and Minnesota are losing a favorite son in the United States Congress when Jim Oberstar, my Chairman and my longtime dear colleague and friend, leaves early next year. In southern West Virginia, we knew the importance of the agency he brought to life, the Economic Development Administration, and those that he fought to protect, side by side with me, like the Appalachian Regional Commission. Shepherding through the 2007 Water Resources Development Act, after a woeful seven-year delay, and overriding a presidential veto to get our water infrastructure projects back on track, was among his great recent accomplishments--again bringing essential assistance to West Virginia. While Jim is still a young man, it really doesn't matter in which century you worked with him, he knows his stuff, and almost all of yours. His absence in crafting the next surface transportation bill will be missed, but his imprimatur will neither fade nor disappear. Quite the contrary, his lessons and sizable legend will guide us toward sound responsible investment for broader horizons.”