Safe Routes to Schools Partnership Asks you to Thank Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN) for His Leadership

Here is a note from the safe routes to schools national partnership regarding the loss of Jim Oberstar in Congress, one of the most vocal advocates for cyclists, pedestrians, and transit in Congress. 

November 3, 2010

Dear Safe Routes to School supporter,

As you have probably heard, Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-MN) lost his House seat in a close electoral race.

Rep. Oberstar initiated the federal Safe Routes to School pilot projects in the year 2000, and then authored the original Safe Routes to School legislation that created the national program in all 50 states.  As Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he had proposed strengthening Safe Routes to School in the next surface transportation bill.

Below you will find a letter to Congressman Oberstar from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership thanking him for his leadership and vision on Safe Routes to School and national transportation policy. 

We encourage Safe Routes to School supporters across the country to take a few moments to send an e-mail or letter to Congressman Oberstar to thank him for his legacy of creating the Safe Routes to School program.  Please share how Safe Routes to School has positively impacted you, your children and your community - this will mean a lot to Congressman Oberstar.  He has indicated in speeches that Safe Routes to School is his legacy and has the potential to "change the habits of an entire generation."  You can send personal notes to Congressman Oberstar at jim.oberstar@mail.house.gov.

We will have more details on the elections in our November 10 issue of E-news.  In the meantime, please know that we have built many allies and supporters in Congress for Safe Routes to School, and that the Safe Routes to School National Partnership will redouble our advocacy efforts for this bipartisan program.  We look forward to working with you on our mutual goals.