No congrats for winning teams from Oberstar

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) is apparently fed up with congratulating collegiate sports teams.

On Tuesday he refused to vote for two resolutions recognizing college athletic champions, one for the University of Virginia’s men’s soccer team and the other for the Penn State women’s volleyball team.

Instead of voting yes to the congressional pats on the back, Oberstar voted “present.” Meanwhile, Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio) backed the Penn State measure but voted present on the Virginia resolution.

Asked why Oberstar wasn’t feeling the love for these teams, a spokesman told ITK that the lawmaker “felt that these athletes had already earned the respect of their peers and the nation on the playing field.”

When it comes to how much respect is enough for a winning team, Oberstar appears to have a bit of a double standard: In June of last year he co-sponsored a resolution to congratulate his alma mater, St. Thomas University’s, baseball team on its Division III national title.

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