Oberstar, Anderson recognized in dedication ceremony

Oberstar, former 8th District congressman, was joined by Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken; State Sen. Tom Saxhaug and Rep. Tom Anzelc; Mike Reynolds, regional director of the U.S. National Park Service Midwest Region; and VNP Superintendent Mike Ward.

Falls Mayor Shawn Mason emceed the event, which began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the local Boy Scout Pack 145.

Phyllis Anderson, wife of the former House Speaker Irv Anderson, who died in 2009, said “He loved Voyageurs National Park and would be honored to have an amphitheater named in his honor.”

Mason described the day as historic.

“Today is all about making history, it’s about Jim Oberstar, it’s about Irv Anderson and it’s about the historic collaboration, finally, between this gateway community and Voyageurs National Park,” said Mason.

Mason recalled that Anderson in 1997 suggested a Voyageur Heritage Center on the tract of land, then owned by Boise, where the complex now sits. “He wanted trails, a place to launch your boat, a place to fish, he wanted public access to Voyageurs National Park,” she said.

In March 2005, an economic summit hosted by the city brought the idea further along when local leaders testified that they believed the poor relationship between the community and the park impacted the ability to draw visitors to the area.

At that time Oberstar told local leaders that if they wanted to increase tourism, they needed to improve the relationship with the park.

“The man was right — he issued us that challenge that day and said it was truly up to us to start it and he would support that evolution,” recalled Mason.

She credited the actions of former VNP Superintendent Kate Miller and Ward with helping to create a new relationship between the gateway communities and the park service. And she credited Oberstar with his leadership on that front.

Oberstar recalled many stories about the community and the people that have been involved in his efforts, evoking applause, laughter and tears.

He described the “heroes in the annuls of the park. And there were also people very bitterly opposed to the park... They had a very deep attachment.”

Oberstar admitted that there is tension at every national park, but said the harmony between the Voyageurs and gateway communities is satisfying.

“Here, in Voyageurs, those tensions have been overcome like nowhere else in the country,” said Oberstar. “I have such enormous respect for the people who overcame their own objections, their own concerns, who opened their eyes, their ears and their hearts to one another and that is what makes this International Falls community so special.”

Anderson, he said, had to be convinced the park was a good thing for the community. “Each side had to make a journey to reach out and see the views of others,” he said.

He concluded his remarks saying that the legacy of Voyageurs is the partnerships that were “truly hands across the waters joining hearts and people for a common cause and I am proud to be a part of it now and forever.”

Franken joked that “good thing this isn’t a state park.” State parks are now closed because of the Minnesota government shutdown.

Franken noted that many union jobs were created with the construction of the complex and joked that Oberstar would talk about the history of each of those unions and many other things when he spoke. He joked that Oberstar sometimes gives lengthy speeches, adding that it’s because he knows so much.

“There is a natural limiter that checked Jim and that limiter was the fact that he was a member of the U.S. House for 36 years and he couldn’t afford to go on in such length and detail that his audience would grow restless and resentful. Well, that limiter is gone, so I hope that each of you have packed a bag lunch.... I kid Jim because I love him and I didn’t know Irv that well and so have nothing on him.”

Franken recalled the history of the park and the battles that occurred with its creation and management and how Oberstar’s knowledge and skill helped to bring an end to those battles.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar said when she first ran for office, she called Anderson for advice. He told her people would ask all kinds of tough questions but she only needed to respond by getting back to one thing: “We need four lanes on Highway 53.”

Oberstar, she said, has served as a mentor. “When you think about Jim, he needed the details, he knew how to get the work done for this town and get a building like this built,” she said.

She said despite Franken’s good natured kidding about Oberstar’s lengthy speeches, she learned from Oberstar that details are important.

“Whether it’s standing up for the miners to make sure that the safety rules are put in place, whether it’s standing up for logging when things are tough, whether it’s standing up for this beautiful park — he understood what matters. And it’s not just about asphalt and concrete, it’s about jobs and improving people’s lives. So thank you Jim, for everything that you have done.”

She told the audience that she has asked U.S. Sec. of the Interior Mike Salazar to visit Voyageurs, who said he would.

Several of those who spoke Saturday referenced comments made earlier in the day at the funeral of former Falls Mayor Jack Murray.

“He was so proud this was going to happen today and he shared the vision the city of International Falls had for this land,” Mason said of Murray.

Klobuchar grew emotional as she recalled Murray’s dedication to improving International Falls for its residents. “He lived every single day thinking about what he could do to serve the people of this town,” she said. “He never stopped working for the people. And that’s what this park is really about, it’s about a congressman, a group of representatives, and a mayor and a business community that didn’t give up and that’s why we have this beautiful amphitheater and beautiful center.”

Anzelc credited Mason’s efforts to bring economic success to the community. “When Mayor Mason asks for help, we all have a tendency to step up and try to do our best,” he said.

Anzelc, who knew Anderson for about 40 years, said he didn’t know when he met him that he would have “the responsibility to follow him... There will only be one Irv Anderson.”

Anderson, Anzelc said, carried International Falls interests with him where ever he went and made sure that people in power knew of the community’s needs and desires.

“This project aptly named after two of the great state persons ever to represent northern Minnesota... is so fitting,” Anzelc said. “It’s such an example of the can-do attitude that government really can work, that government really can accomplish things, that government really can be responsive to all of the people.”

Saxhaug called Anderson and Oberstar champions of woods, water and tourism. “I know Jim is not going to sit around and what he is going to do is get around the country and tell about one of the best kept secrets in this country — Voyageurs National Park,” Saxhaug said. “Congressman Oberstar will continue to work for us.”

Saxhaug also recalled that Murray and Anderson were World War II veterans. “They went to work, Irv ends up as a state representative and speaker of the House, Jack ended up being mayor. It is the greatest generation. Even though Irv is not with us, (the headquarters) is a big part of him.”

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