Bills Would Honor Late Minnesota US Representative Oberstar

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota congressional members have introduced bills to honor the late U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar.

The legislation would rename the Chisholm Post Office and portions of Highways 35 and 61 in Oberstar's memory.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken and U.S. Representative Rick Nolan, who now holds Oberstar's seat, introduced the bipartisan bill. Minnesota Representatives. Collin Peterson, Betty McCollum, Michele Bachmann, Keith Ellison and Tim Walz signed on as sponsors.

Oberstar died May 3 at age 79. He served 18 terms and was Minnesota's longest-serving member of Congress.

The Chisholm native championed Minnesota highways and successfully pushed for the National Scenic Byways Program.

Memorial services for Oberstar will be held Friday in Duluth and Chisholm. Another memorial was held Thursday at the University of Minnesota.