Jim Oberstar

Jim Oberstar
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 8th district
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	John Blatnik
Succeeded by	Chip Cravaack
Chair of the House Transportation Committee
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Don Young
Succeeded by	John Mica
Ranking Member of the House Transportation Committee
In office October 10, 1995 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Norman Mineta
Succeeded by	John Mica
Personal details
Born	James Louis Oberstar (1934-09-10)September 10, 1934 Chisholm, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	May 3, 2014(2014-05-03) (aged 79) Potomac, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jo Garlick (Deceased) Jean Kurth
Children	4
Education	University of St. Thomas, Minnesota (BA) College of Europe (MA)
Jim Oberstar's voice Oberstar, as chair of the House Transportation Committee, speaks in support of the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act of 2008 Recorded March 26, 2007

James Louis Oberstar (September 10, 1934 – May 3, 2014) was an American politician and Congressman who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 2011.^[1] Hailing from Minnesota and a member of the state's local Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he represented the northeastern eighth congressional district, which included the cities of Duluth, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Hibbing, and consisted in an area of Minnesota known as the Iron Range. He was chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2007 until his departure, previously being the ranking minority member since 1995. In November 2010, he was defeated by a margin of 4,407 votes by Republican Chip Cravaack. He served the longest tenure of any Congressman from Minnesota.