Jim Ramstad was first elected to
Congress in 1990. He is a member of the House Ways and
Means Committee and Health Subcommittee and Chairman of
the Oversight Subcommittee. Jim also co-chairs the
Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus, as well as the
Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, Law Enforcement Caucus
and Medical Technology Caucus.
Jim Ramstad has authored five
anti-crime bills that have become law and was named
"Representative of the year" by the National Association
of Police Organizations in 1997 and 2000. Jim has
championed efforts to provide access to treatment for
people suffering from chemical addiction and mental
illness. He was named "Legislator of the Year" by
the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug
Addiction Counselors in 1998 and the National Mental
Health Association in 1999.
In 2005, Jim was named “Leading
Light for Seniors” by the American Health Care
Association, and this year he received the “Disabilities
Rights Award” from the American Association of People
with Disabilities.
Jim Ramstad was born in Jamestown,
North Dakota, the third generation member of a small
business family. He received his B.A. degree from the
University of Minnesota in 1968 (Phi Beta Kappa) and his
J.D. (with Honors) from George Washington University in
1973.
Congressman Ramstad served his
country as a First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Reserve, from
1968-75. He is a former Criminal Justice attorney and
adjunct professor of government and Constitutional law.
Prior to his election to Congress, Jim served three
terms in the Minnesota Senate, where he was Assistant
Minority Leader.
Jim Ramstad has a long history of
civic and community involvement. He currently
serves as a board member of Minnesota D.A.R.E. and the
Lake Country Food Bank. Jim is also a member of American
Legion Post 118, Minnesota Prayer Breakfast Committee,
Plymouth Lions Club and the MetroNorth and Wayzata Area Chambers of
Commerce.
Jim and his wife Kathryn and
daughter Christen, a sophomore at Colorado College, are
members of Wayzata Community Church.
