Senator Klobuchar Introduces Bill to Rename Wayzata Post Office in Honor of Former Representative Jim Ramstad

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar reintroduced legislation to rename the Wayzata post office in honor of former Minnesota Representative Jim Ramstad. The legislation will be led in the House of Representatives by Representative Dean Phillips (MN-03), who currently holds the seat Representative Ramstad once held. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and John Hoeven (R-ND) joined as original cosponsors, as Ramstad was born in North Dakota.

"Last year, Minnesota lost a friend and hero -- former Representative Jim Ramstad. He was a faithful public servant whose personal struggle with addiction guided his life's work to help those struggling with substance abuse and mental health," Klobuchar said. "He was a true mentor to me on how to work with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done. Renaming the Wayzata post office in Jim's name will allow Minnesotans to remember Jim for generations to come."

"Jim Ramstad served the people of Minnesota's Third District -- first as a citizen, then as a state Senator, then as a U.S. Congressman -- for three decades," Phillips said. "I am humbled to serve the very same community as he once did, and continue to look to his example for inspiration. His work leading the passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Act was a powerful display of bipartisan leadership that has helped millions of families access the health care they need. Renaming the Wayzata Post Office in his name is a small gesture, but one I hope will add to the growing symphony of affection for the man who left a remarkable legacy in our community, our state, and our country."

Representative Jim Ramstad served in Congress from 1991 until 2009. He was a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Health and Trade Subcommittees and Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee. Ramstad also served on the House Small Business Committee and co-chaired the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus, Medical Technology Caucus, Law Enforcement Caucus and Disabilities Caucus.

Representative Ramstad was co-sponsor of the landmark Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Parity Act which became law in 2008.

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