WASHINGTON -- Rep. James L. Oberstar, Ranking Democratic Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced this afternoon that David A. Heymsfeld has been named Democratic Chief of Staff for the full Committee, succeeding Paul Schoellhamer, who had announced he was returning to the private sector.
"Paul Schoellhamer has done an outstanding job as Democratic Chief of Staff during an extremely difficult period. Since the November 1994 elections, he has converted our necessarily leaner Democratic staff into the most capable, versatile and effective body of legislative skill in the House," said Oberstar.
"When Paul made his announcement to the staff yesterday, after he and I had talked on Friday, there was one among us on our Committee who I knew instinctively could provide the greatest substantive continuity and spirit of teamwork, and that's David Heymsfeld. I've known and worked closely with David since he joined our Committee staff in 1975. I trust his legislative skill, spirit of collegiality on both sides of the aisle, and dedication to our Members. He will hit the ground running on the many important transportation, economic and environmental issues we'll debate and consider in the remainder of the 104th Congress," Oberstar concluded.
Heymsfeld, presently Democratic Staff Director on the Subcommittee on Aviation, joined the Committee staff in 1975 after distinguished service as counsel to the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Postal Rate Commission, and in private practice. He holds a law degree from Harvard University. Schoellhamer had served as Chief of Staff to the Public Works and Transportation Committee in the 103rd Congress. Previously, he had been a Vice President for Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Prior to that, he had been a professional staff member for the Committee and for Rep. Norman Y. Mineta of California. He will be joining the Transportation Systems and Services subdivision of Lockheed Martin IMS.
"David's appointment to the full committee could, of course, leave a tremendous void in the Aviation Subcommittee. But fortunately, we have a 16-year veteran of that subcommittee within the ranks of our professional corps, and that's David Traynham," said Oberstar.
"When the Democrats, in the aftermath of the election, had to cut back on the number of our professionals, David volunteered to use his transportation experience on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, which was long-sought but new jurisdiction to our Committee. Now, with the Coast Guard authorization and ocean shipping deregulation legislation moved out of the Subcommittee, we can call upon David Traynham's depth of experience and bring him back to Aviation to work on Federal Aviation Administration reform while we search for his replacement at Coast Guard," Oberstar continued.
David Traynham was a research analyst at the U.S. Department of Transportation immediately prior to joining the Aviation staff in 1979. He moved to the Coast Guard subcommittee in January of this year.
"Above all else, what we have in these appointments is continuity, leadership, and professionalism. Anything less is not in my interest as the Ranking Democratic Member, in the interest of our Democratic Members, our Republican colleagues, or the American people who depend on our work product to improve our transportation systems, protect our environment, and build our economy," Oberstar concluded.