Connecting with Government: Public Forums with Minnesota's Elected Officials with Congressman Jim Oberstar

Congressman Jim Oberstar

Jim Oberstar is a member of the United States House of Representatives, first elected in 1974 and currently serving his 18^th term as the representative of the Eighth District of Minnesota. Congressman Oberstar is chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and an internationally recognized expert on aviation and aviation safety and a champion of creating trails for cycling and hiking. In 2005 he authored the Safe Routes to Schools Act, a $200 million program that helps school districts build biking and walking paths to schools, hire crossing guards and promote safety programs. Most recently, the Transportation Committee passed the Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007, a broad-ranging law to help promote energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to serving in public office, Oberstar was chief staff assistant to U.S. Rep. John Blatnik and administrator for the House Public Works Committee. Oberstar holds degrees from the College of St. Thomas and the College of Europe in Belgium.