Oberstar, James L. (James Louis), 1934-

James L. Oberstar was born September 10, 1934 in Chisholm, Minnesota. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1956, with a Baccalaureate of Art in French and political science. He continued with school overseas, completing a Master of Art in European Studies at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium (1957).

After graduation, Oberstar worked as a Navy civilian English language teacher for Haitian military personnel, and taught French and Creole to U.S. Marine and noncommissioned officers in Haiti (1959-1963). He began his political career in 1963, as Chief of Staff to U.S. 8th Congressional District Representative John Blatnik, during which time he concurrently served as the Administrator to the House Public Works Committee (1971-1974). Oberstar succeeded Blatnik as Democrat to the 94th Congress in 1974, a seat he held consecutively through 2010, when he was defeated in a close race by Republican, Chip Cravaak.

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