One Picture: A congressional departure

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It was a touching moment in Washington today when Rep. James Oberstar chaired his final Transportation Committee meeting. After he gave his farewell speech, the other members of the committee applauded. Republican Congressman John Mica of Florida put his arm on Oberstar’s shoulder, which is not something we’ve seen very often in the last few years between Democrats and Republicans in Washington.

Oberestar, of course, lost a re-election bid to Chip Cravaack.

He will join the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, according to a Star Tribune report, the attached comments to which reveal that some Minnesotans were not only interested in removing him from office, but in delivering rhetorical kicks in the pants on the way out.

(Photo courtesy of Rep. Oberstar’s office)