Tag: Jim Ramstad

Former U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad Dies

November 6th, 2020

Former Republican U.S. Representative Jim Ramstad died Thursday.

He was 74.

Ramstad represented Wayzatans in the Third Congressional District beginning in 1991. He retired in 2009.

“Representative Ramstad was a remarkable man,” said Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox. “He was a distinguished public servant, who was unique in his ability to work so effectively with people of all stripes. He was a gracious gentleman, always eager to help anyone needing it.”

So grateful for the life and legacy of Jim Ramstad. An incredible mentor for me, and friend to literally everyone. A true model of a selfless public servant. Well done, good and faithful servant. #Bipartisan #Pragmatic #Commonsense #RamstadTeam pic.twitter.com/fr8XuaIjzt
— Paul T. Anderson (@PTAnderson_MN) November 6, 2020

We lost a friend &hero—former MN Republican congressman Jim Ramstad. He worked w/Paul Wellstone on mental health & carried the torch to pass the bill after Paul died. By being bravely honest about his own personal struggles he gave many courage to take on their own addictions 🙏
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) November 6, 2020

Ramstad was open about his battle with alcoholism. He gave up drinking in early 1980s.

He made the battle against addiction and mental health awareness a top priority while in Congress.

He helped pass the Mental Health Parity Bill.

Ramstad also helped others battling addiction.

He served as Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor.

“As a person who lived in long-term recovery, Jim’s empathy and understanding of the brain disease of addiction and those who suffer from it touched many lives,” said Kennedy. “Not only through the policies he advanced in Congress, but also through the compassion he showed to others, including me.”

Ramstad put a spotlight on the idea that mental illness and substance abuse disorders often go hand-in-hand.

Remembering one of the most impactful recovery advocates in modern history – our friend and a great leader. R.I.P. Congressman Jim Ramstad https://t.co/053Nj8lvTq
— Hazelden Betty Ford Advocacy (@HBFadvocacy) November 6, 2020

“Our thoughts are with Jim’s family, especially his wife, Kathryn. May you take comfort in the legacy this great man leaves behind,” said Kennedy.

Ramstad was born in North Dakota and later moved to Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota and served in the Minnesota state legislature from 1981 to 1991.

Ramstad not only represented Wayzata in Washington, he was also very involved in the community.

“Jim was also a great friend of Wayzata,” said Willcox. “A few years ago the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce honored him as its Person of the Year. We will sorely miss Jim Ramstad and his decency and his fellowship.”
Tonka CARES and Ramstad host Former Cabinet Secretary at Town Forum at Minnetonka High School

April 12th, 2011

Tonka CARES and former U. S. Representative Jim Ramstad (MN-3) are holding a town meeting on drug and alcohol abuse prevention, featuring Joseph A. Califano, former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Founder and Chairman of The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA).

The town meeting with Secretary Califano is tonight, April 12, 2011, at 7 p. m. at Minnetonka High School in the large auditorium.

“I deeply admire the important drug prevention and education efforts of Imogen Davis, Shirley Snyder and the other members of Tonka CARES,” said Ramstad. “They are making a big difference in our community, and we want every parent and student to see and hear Secretary Califano, a national leader in reducing drug and alcohol abuse and addiction among teens.”

Mr. Califano will discuss his latest book, HOW TO RAISE A DRUG FREE KID: THE STRAIGHT DOPE FOR PARENTS, and will field questions from the audience. Admission is free to the public.

“Joe Califano worked closely with Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter, and now he’s working for the youth of America to curb substance abuse and chemical addiction, said Ramstad.

“Joe Califano represents the best in public service, and Tonka CARES is grateful he’s coming to Minnetonka.”
Ramstads chair Interfaith Outreach Spread Your Wings dinner to be held June 25

June 9th, 2009

In celebration of 30 years of service to the community, Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners will hold the Spread Your Wings dinner, which includes live and silent auctions. Chaired by Jim and Kathryn Ramstad, the event will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the Lafayette Club.

Tickets for the event are $130 per person or $1,300 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.iocp.org or by contacting Nancy Holden at nholden@iocp.org.

a2a_linkname=”Wayzata.com”;a2a_linkurl=”http://www.wayzata.com”;
Jim Ramstad offers $1,000 bounty for vandals that tagged his home

October 22nd, 2008

Jim Ramstad’s Minnetonka home was vandalized last night as part of a larger “garage tagging” attack on homes of prominant politicians in Minnesota. Pictured left is Ramstad’s garage appearing in a Fox 9 news report on this incident. Jim said in a statement for KARE 11 that, “There’s obviously no place for this in politics, no place for this in Minnesota, no place for this in our country.” Ramstad is reportedly putting up $1,000 reward of his own money to catch the vandals that did this.

According to an article by the Star Tribune, Sen Amy Klobuchar, Sen Norm Coleman, and U.S. Reps. Keith Ellison, John Kline, Michele Bachmann were also victims of the garage tagging vandalism.

More info from the Strib: ‘Ramstad discovered the vandalism early this morning and notified Minnetonka police, said Ramstad spokesman Lance Olson.

Olson said the word “SCUM” was spray painted above Ramstad’s garage door and “U R A sellout!!! Psalm 2” was painted across the door. Ramstad found the incident disturbing, he said.’

Read Psalm 2 reads by clicking this link.

Stay tuned to Wayzata.com for all the latest on this Ramstad vandalism issue.

Image courtesy of Fox 9.

Wayzata.com is your garage tagging reward leader.

WANT THIS STORY AND OTHERS EMAILED TO YOU?
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WAYZATA.COM ALERTS!
Jim Ramstad honored as 2008 Wayzata Person of the Year by Wayzata Chamber of Commerce

October 16th, 2008

Congressman Jim Ramstad was honored by the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce as the 2008 Person of the Year. The event was held at the plush accommodations that is the Wayzata Country Club in front of a full house. Master of Ceremonies was Ramstad’s best friend Greg Rye, who Ramstad affectionately called “Rooster,” and “the little brother he never had.”

http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

A number of prominent people from the area spoke about Ramstad’s many accomplishments for the City of Wayzata, the people of Minnesota, and the Nation. Rye read aloud a letter from President George W. Bush that arrived that morning. Here is an excerpt, “Congratulations on being honored by the Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2008 Person of the Year. I know your family, friends, and colleagues are very proud of your accomplishments. I appreciate your hard work and dedication in serving your fellow citizens. Our nation is deeply indebted to the men and women who devote their lives to public service. Laura and I send our best wishes for continued success. May God bless you, and may God bless America.”

Rye went on to read a letter from Minnesota Governer Tim Pawlenty, who indicated that, “it is my honor to congratulate Congressman Jim Ramstad on being named 2008 Person of the Year. In Minnesota, only Sid Hartman can claim he has more personal friends than Jim Ramstad. However, just like everyone in the room today, I am honored to call Jim my friend. Jim has touched countless lives during his career in public service, but it is his unselfishness and compassion for helping people which makes him truly deserving of this honor…”

Kathryn Ramstad, Jim’s wife, talked about Jim’s commitment to family and how his family helped him succeed in politics, “…it’s always been a family affair, not out of duty, but definitely out of love for one another. Jim really guards his time with his family. He could be speaking every weekend at an event, but really most weekends you will find him after the game on Saturday having lunch with Marv… Sunday you will always find us having lunch with our family in Wayzata somewhere, and Sunday afternoons you will find Jim & Marv either watching football, basketball, baseball, whatever it might be all afternoon. Jim really does live his values and faith, family and friends. He puts them first in his life.”

Ramstad spoke about his affection for Wayzata after the presentations by Rye and the others. “…I am truly overwhelmed as I stand here before you today…” He continued, “I am the luckiest person in the world to have all of you in my life, thank you very much for this tremendous award today. It is truly gratifying.”

Ramstad told a story of how he arrived at the University of Minnesota in 1965 and asked a friend where he should go to find a nice place. “I remember asking a friend, it was Sunday, and I had a car, ‘Where should I go?’ I didn’t really know many people yet, ‘Where’s a nice place to go?’” Ramstad indicated his friend answered, “Go out, take Highway 12 West, you’ll see the sign for Wayzata, go down Lake Street, there’s a cafe there called Heart’s Cafe–the predecessor to Sunset’s…” Ramstad continued, “And so I did, drove out here. And I’ll never forget, coming from North Dakota, where our biggest lake is a… …dam, I’ll never forget the first time the beauty of the green leaves changing, Wayzata Bay, the Lake, the great community of shops and people out with their families. I said to myself, ‘Someday, I’m going to live here.’”

He wrapped up his speech by saying, “…I am so proud to be a part of this great community. …Thank you very, very much for this is very, very meaningful award. I will never forget this day.”

Wayzata.com is your 2008 Person of the Year leader. Stay tuned.

WANT THIS STORY AND OTHERS EMAILED TO YOU?
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WAYZATA.COM ALERTS!