Jim Ramstad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Ramstad
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 3rd district |
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| In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Frenzel |
| Succeeded by | Erik Paulsen |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 45th district 43rd (1981–1983) |
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| In office January 6, 1981 – January 3, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Emily Anne Staples |
| Succeeded by | Judy Traub |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Marvin Ramstad
May 6, 1946 Jamestown, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | November 5, 2020 (aged 74) Wayzata, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Kathryn Mitchell
(m. 2005) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Minnesota (BA) George Washington University (JD) |
| Occupation | attorney, political assistant |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1968–1975 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
James Marvin Ramstad (born May 6, 1946 – died November 5, 2020) was an American lawyer and politician. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Ramstad represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2009. Before that, he served in the Minnesota Senate from 1981 to 1991. He was known as a moderate Republican.
He won many elections by large margins. In 2008, he decided not to run for reelection. He passed away in 2020 at age 74 due to Parkinson's disease.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jim Ramstad was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on May 6, 1946. He went to the University of Minnesota and the George Washington University Law School.
He served as an officer in the United States Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974. After his military service, he worked as a lawyer. He also helped politicians in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Political Career Highlights
Before joining the U.S. Congress, Ramstad was involved in local government. He served on several commissions in Minnesota from 1979 to 1980. These included the Wayzata-Plymouth Chemical Health Commission and the Plymouth Human Rights Commission.
Ramstad was a Republican member of the Minnesota State Senate for ten years. He served there from 1981 to 1990.
In 1990, he was elected to the U.S. Congress. He represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district. He served in Congress for nine terms, from 1991 to 2009.
Time in Congress
As a member of the United States House of Representatives, Jim Ramstad worked on important laws. One of his major achievements was helping to pass a Mental Health Parity Bill. This bill made sure that mental health care was covered by insurance plans in a similar way to physical health care. It became law in December 2008.
Ramstad decided not to run for reelection in 2008. He was considered for a role in President Barack Obama's administration, but another person was chosen. He also thought about running for Governor of Minnesota in 2010 but decided against it.
Later in his life, Ramstad was a resident fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics.
His Political Views
Jim Ramstad was part of a group called The Republican Main Street Partnership. This group includes Republicans who are often seen as more moderate.
He was considered one of the most moderate Republicans from Minnesota in Congress. This means he often held views that were not extremely conservative or extremely liberal.
Personal Life and Passing
Jim Ramstad's sister, Sheryl Ramstad, is a judge in Minnesota. He was a member of the United Church of Christ.
He passed away on November 5, 2020, at his home in Wayzata, Minnesota. He was 74 years old and died from Parkinson's disease.
Committees and Groups
During his time in Congress, Jim Ramstad was part of several important committees and groups:
- Ways and Means Committee
- Subcommittee on Oversight (where he was a top member)
- Subcommittee on Health
- Co-chair of the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus
- Co-chair of the Disabilities Caucus
- Co-chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus
- Co-chair of the Medical Technology Caucus
Images for kids
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Congressman Jim Ramstad on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Kennedy, Majority Leader Hoyer and David Wellstone.
See also
In Spanish: Jim Ramstad para niños
