Rep. Jim Oberstar (1934-2014)
For more than 40 years, as a congressional staffer and then a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Oberstar combined an encyclopedic knowledge of intermodal transportation issues with a practical ability to forge consensus among parties with divergent perspectives. The end result was a long, unmatched list of legislative achievements in the transportation arena.
Oberstar was a recognized authority on aviation safety matters and chaired the House Aviation Subcommittee from 1989-94, and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight from 1987-1989. He successfully fought for safer airline cabins, adequate emergency exits, and floor-proximity directional lighting.
He served as chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee from 2007-2010. He was a driving force and author of historic federal highway, bridge, and public transportation investment laws in 1991, 1998, and 2005.
