Rep. James Oberstar Named House Transportation Chair

Caryn Giarratano presents an award to Representative James Oberstar. The award, created by MoBikeFed board member Doug Havach, is MOBikeFed's award for "Distinguished Service to Bicycling".

The Democratic Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives has chosen Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.) to chair the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 110th Congress. "I am pleased and humbled by this vote of confidence," Oberstar said. "I look forward to the many challenges ahead for this Committee and am ready to work with Members on both sides of the aisle, and the Administration, to move our agenda forward for the good of all the American people.” 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 retired in 1974, and Oberstar sought and won his Congressional seat. Oberstar is a strong advocate of bicycling.