If you’re driving on U.S. Highway 2 in Ashland, you might see something new. USDA Forest Service officials have announced a new temporary identification sign at the David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC).

However, the David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center was officially renamed in 2020 to honor Representative David R. Obey. The former U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 7^th The district was administered from 1969 to 2011.

He is the longest-serving member of Congress in Wisconsin history. While over 10,000 men and women have served in the House of Representatives throughout the country’s history, only 21 representatives have served in office longer than Rep. David R. Obey.

Obey served on three major economic committees in Congress. He was a member of the Committee on Appropriations, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Committee on Budgets, which he also chaired.

Throughout his career, he was a leader of progressive forces on issues such as labor rights, education, health care, medical research, environmental protection, and international relations. Obey was also a key leader of reform efforts in Congress, chairing the committee that drafted a new code of ethics for the House of Representatives in 1977.

He played a leading role in the passage of the American Economic Recovery Act following the economic collapse of 2008. He also chaired the House of Representatives when it passed the groundbreaking Health Insurance Reform Act.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has installed a temporary sign along U.S. Highway 2 while a permanent sign replacement is planned for 2025. The project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. The Forest Service also received funding to replace the NGLVC parking lot to create a safe surface for visitors.

Services offered by NGLVC include:

• Information on recreational opportunities, trail conditions and more;
• Permits to collect forest products, including firewood;
• Interagency passes for access to federal territories;
• Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest annual stickers for use in fee-based day-use areas.

The NGLVC is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Passes can also be purchased at the center from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The David R. Obey Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is located at 29270 County Hwy. G, Ashland, Wisconsin, 54806. For more information, visit the NGLVC website (https://nglvc.org/) and also follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NGLVC. Read more stories from Northwest Wisconsin here.