Congressman Jim Oberstar was a supporter of the Recreational Trails Program and a sponsor of the transportation bills which included funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs as well as trails.
Jim Oberstar was a key figure in Federal transportation funding for many years, and he was much loved by supporters of trails and bicycle-pedestrian programs. "Every American who bikes the Minnesota bike trails, hikes the Lake Superior trail, and drives our national highways and bridges should remember Jim today," said Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Oberstar was first elected to Congress in 1975 as a Democrat and was reelected to 17 succeeding terms, serving until 2011. He served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during his entire time in the House. The Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives chose him to chair the Committee in the 110th Congress.
An avid cyclist, Oberstar championed the creation of trails for cycling and hiking to promote active lifestyles. In 2005 he authored, co-sponsored, and helped to pass the SAFETEA-LU act, which funded surface transportation and included the Safe Routes to Schools program. At the 2007 BikeWalk California conference and at other bicycling meetings, Oberstar advocated converting the country's transportation system "from a hydrocarbon-based system to a carbohydrate-based system."
Widely regarded as one of the top experts on transportation in either House of Congress, Oberstar began his Congressional career in 1963 as an aide to his predecessor from Minnesota, Rep. John A. Blatnik. Blatnik was a Member of what was then called the Committee on Public Works. Blatnik ascended to the chairmanship of the Committee in 1971, and named Oberstar to head the Committee staff. Blatnik retired in 1974, and Oberstar sought and won his Congressional seat. Oberstar also sought a seat on the Committee— renamed Public Works and Transportation Committee— and held that seat through his time in Congress.
Rep. Oberstar was often in attendance at the Coalition for Recreational Trails annual awards ceremonies, which are held in early June at a House of Representatives meeting room.
Oberstar, a Minnesota native, graduated in 1956 from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He received a Master's degree in European Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium with further study at Université Laval in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He spent four years as a civilian language teacher in the United States Marine Corps, teaching English to Haitian military personnel and French to American Marine officers and non-commissioned officers.
Oberstar, the longest-serving congressman in Minnesota history, died unexpectedly early May 3, 2014 at age 79.
Memorial: Donn Steven Anderson
posted Jul 13, 2023
Steve’s lifework and legacy ended up creating terrific trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.
posted Feb 11, 2022
Former American Trails Board Member Kay Lloyd passed away in January 2022.
September 11th National Memorial Trail to Offer Interactive Map
posted Sep 11, 2021
The September 11th National Memorial Trail is a 1,300-mile system of trails and roadways that link the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
posted Dec 4, 2020
Longtime American Trails board member Joe Taylor passed away 12/03/2020.
1,568 views • posted 05/03/2014
