East Twin Cities

U.S. Congressman Pete Stauber, who represents Minnesota’s 8th district, marked the 50th anniversary of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s final voyage and highlighted the significance of Great Lakes shipping in a series of social media posts.

On November 9, 2025, Stauber reflected on the historic shipwreck: "At this time 50 years ago, at about 2:15 p.m. on Nov. 9, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald left Burlington Northern Railroad Dock No. 1 in Superior, WI, on what would be its final journey."

The following day, he commemorated the U.S. Marine Corps’ milestone anniversary with a post reading: "Happy Birthday, U.S. Marine Corps! 250 years of grit and glory. Semper Fi! " (posted November 10).

Later that same day, Stauber visited local shipping infrastructure to emphasize its economic importance: "Today, I toured CN ore docks in Duluth to highlight our Great Lakes shipping. This industry is vital to keeping our economy strong and our nation secure. On this 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking, we salute the workers powering our economy."

Stauber has represented Minnesota's 8th District in Congress since replacing Rick Nolan in 2019 and previously served on the St. Louis County Commission from 2013 to 2019. Born in Duluth in 1966 and currently residing in Hermantown, Stauber graduated from Lake Superior State University with a BA in 1990.

The loss of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald remains one of the most well-known maritime disasters on North America's Great Lakes; it sank during a storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.