Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about James Oberstar

Remembering Jim Oberstar, Architect of Federal Bike Funding Programs

By Tanya Snyder | May 5, 2014 | No Comments

Rep. Jim Oberstar died peacefully in his sleep early Saturday morning at the age of 79. He represented Minnesota’s 8th Congressional district for 18 terms, from 1975 to 2011. Oberstar served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee the entire time, and as its chair for the last four years. He was known for his passion for […]

Former House Transpo Chair James Oberstar on the Post-Interstate Era

By Tanya Snyder | Oct 14, 2011 | No Comments

Streetsblog had a chance today to ask the former Democratic chief of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, about life since the 2010 election, when he lost by a hair to Republican Chip Cravaack. He said he’s spending his post-Congress time traveling to France, getting paid to say things he used to […]

Oberstar’s Final Words of Wisdom

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 16, 2010 | No Comments

Outgoing Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Jim Oberstar (D-MN) just wrapped up a roundtable conversation with reporters. He looked back on his 36 years in Congress – starting in January 1963 as clerk of the the Rivers and Harbors Committee, which eventually morphed into the T & I Committee. He said the history of the […]

Oberstar Says Goodbye, Mica Promises Rail and a Long-Term Bill

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 3, 2010 | No Comments

Rep. Jim Oberstar said goodbye today after 36 years in the House, during which he helped pioneer federal support for biking and walking. “I go in peace of mind and heart, but with sadness,” he said in his concession speech. He said he wouldn’t change or take back any of his votes for transportation, especially […]

Election Results: GOP Govs Win Big, Dems Take California, Oberstar Ousted

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 3, 2010 | No Comments

The biggest news from last night, of course, is that the GOP won control of the House of Representatives. That means Republicans now control all the House committees, and Ohio’s John Boehner — a believer in wider highways — will wield the Speaker’s gavel. The Democrats hung on to the Senate, though, and pundits are […]

Election Day Finds Two Livability Champions on the Ropes

By Tanya Snyder | Nov 2, 2010 | No Comments

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) will likely lose his chairmanship of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as control of the House is widely expected to shift to the Republicans after today’s election. But Oberstar could also lose his seat in Congress. As committee chair, Oberstar has been a strong advocate for transit investment and livability reforms. […]

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