Rep. Jim Ramstad's Retirement Statement - September 17, 2007

Bill Frenzel, my predecessor and mentor, told me when he retired from Congress that he "knew it was time to do something else." Now it's time for me to do something else!

Therefore, I am announcing my retirement from Congress at the completion of my present term in 2008.

For the past 27 years, it's been a great privilege to represent the best people in the world - 10 years in the Minnesota Senate and 17 years in the U.S. Congress. I love the people of our district, and I'm deeply grateful for the honor of serving them 3 terms in the State Senate and 9 terms in Congress.

My passion for serving people remains as strong as ever. But after 17 years of commuting every week to Washington - 17 years of being gone all week - it's time to be home with the people I love and miss.

It's time to spend more time with Kathryn, our family and friends. Time to spend more time helping people suffering from chemical addiction. Time to pursue other interests.

Time to see more of my beloved Golden Gophers, Vikings, T-Wolves and Twins. Time to start living life after Congress.

Before I leave Congress, I expect the mental health and addiction treatment parity bill will become law. This landmark bill to provide greater access to treatment is the legacy I want to leave to millions of Americans suffering from mental illness and addiction. A legacy of access to treatment and recovery. A legacy of hope for a healthy and sober life.

Patrick Kennedy and I look forward to dedicating this landmark parity law to the memory of its original author and our friend, Paul Wellstone.

Much more than the countless bills I've worked on during my 27-year legislative career, I treasure the people I've been privileged to work with and work for.

My dedicated staff led by our great Chief, Dean Peterson, and ever-loyal District Director Lance Olson. My talented political and finance director, John Magnuson.

My heartfelt thanks to all my great staff for your outstanding work and the compassion and commitment you bring to serving the people of our district. I cherish your friendship, and you are a great blessing in my life.

And to the thousands of supporters and volunteers - the Ramstad Team - who wore the orange to help me win 12 elections. Thank you for your loyal and active support over the years.

I'm also very grateful to the only 3 finance chairmen the RVC has had in 27 years - Wayne Jimmerson, Charlie Jackson and John Berg, as well as our treasurer Neil Lapidus.

Many thanks to you and all my other generous friends who contributed the financial support for our 12 winning campaigns.

I want to especially thank my constituents who have given me the privilege of public service. You are the best people in the land, and I will miss you when my term expires next year.

And believe it or not, I will miss the press. You are good people, you work hard and you do your jobs well.

Most of all, I thank my loving family for always being there for me - my wonderful wife Kathryn, daughter Christen, parents Della Mae and Marv, sister Sheryl and Lee, and nieces and nephews Sarah, Christina, Charlie and Karl. I love you with all my heart!

Thank you all for a great run. Thank you for your love, friendship and support for 3 decades. I feel like I'm the luckiest guy alive to have all of you in my life!

Sincerely,
JIM RAMSTAD
Member of Congress

Prepared and paid for by the Jim Ramstad Volunteer Committee

Jim Ramstad Volunteer Committee
1809 Plymouth Road South, Suite 310, Minnetonka, MN 55305
Phone (952) 738-9100 - Fax (952) 738-9436 - info@ramstad.org