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Duluth, Minn. (AP)

Great Lakes freighter renamed to honor Oberstar

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A Great Lakes freighter has been renamed the Hon. James L. Oberstar, honoring the former Minnesota congressman who spent decades as a leading player in U.S. transportation policy.

His wife formally rechristened the 806-foot ore carrier in the Duluth harbor Tuesday by smashing a ceremonial champagne bottle across its bow.

The carrier is owned by Interlake Steamship Co. Company officials say Oberstar deserves to be recognized because he made the Great Lakes a priority during his entire congressional career.

The 76-year-old Oberstar says he's humbled by the honor. He says he never imagined having his name on a vessel of this significance.

The Duluth News Tribune report says the ship has been used most recently to shuttle taconite pellets from Minnesota to steel mills near Detroit and Chicago.

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(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)