The Alliance for Action invited Congressman Oberstar to visit New Jersey to discuss projects of significance to the State. In a highly unusual two day visit, Alliance President Phil Beachem and Executive Vice President Jerry Keenan, along with former Congressman Robert A. Roe, accompanied Oberstar on his two day journey throughout New Jersey.

During his travels, Oberstar and his Chief of Staff Bill Richard were briefed on needed improvements at Atlantic City International Airport, attended a high level breakfast meeting at New Jersey Institute of Technology, and received updates on the Trans-Hudson rail tunnel and the Liberty Corridor project, both of which he described as “critical initiatives.”

On Sunday, June 17, Oberstar was greeted by Congressman Frank LoBiondo, the only New Jersey representative on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Bart Mueller, Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Authority. At the airport, Oberstar was updated by Atlantic City International Airport Director Tom Rafter on the need for additional funding for airport improvement projects. Additional presentations were made by Dr. Herman Saatkamp, President of Stockton State College, who described a research park to be developed adjacent to the airport. An official from the FAA Tech Center in Pomona briefed the delegation on advanced technology developments occurring at the FAA Tech Center.

On Monday morning, June 18, NJIT President Dr. Robert Altenkirch hosted a meeting of transportation, government and business leaders with Oberstar. Among those in attendance were Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Anthony Coscia, NJ State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri, NJ Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles, Congressman William Pascrell, former Governor James Florio, Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman John Wisniewski, former NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington, former Congressman Robert A. Roe and Alliance executives Phil Beachem and Jerry Keenan.

The group was later joined by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Anthony E. Shorris for formal presentations on the rail tunnel and the proposed Liberty International Corridor project.

At the concluding luncheon, Oberstar was introduced by former Congressman Robert A. Roe, after comments by Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Donald Payne, Assemblyman Wisniewski and Alliance President Phil Beachem. Oberstar told a standing room only crowd that work has already begun in Washington to prepare for the new reauthorization of the Federal transportation financial funding program in 2009.

Alliance President Phil Beachem thanked Congressman Oberstar, his Chief of Staff Bill Richard and former Congressman Robert A. Roe for devoting a substantial amount of their time over the Father’s Day weekend to learn about important New Jersey transportation projects.