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| Ray LaHood to Give Monmouth College Commencement |
United States Secretary of Transportation Ray H. LaHood will deliver the 2009 commencement address at Monmouth College on May 17. A former member of the United States House of Representatives, LaHood is one of only two Republicans currently serving in President Barack Obama's cabinet.
In nominating LaHood for his current position, Obama said, "Few understand our infrastructure challenge better than the outstanding public servant that I’m asking to lead the Department of Transportation."
As Secretary of Transportation, LaHood leads an agency with more than 55,000 employees and a $70 billion budget that oversees air, maritime and surface transportation missions.
Besides Obama, another president from Illinois has been in the headlines in 2009, and LaHood has a strong link to him, as well. A major advocate for advancing the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, LaHood authored a law that established the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which laid the groundwork for the 16th president's 200th birthday celebration this year. LaHood has also been a lead Capitol Hill supporter for the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Ill., and is one of 15 members on the ALBC.
From 1995 to 2009, LaHood served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois' 18th District. During that time, he served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. Prior to his election to the House, he served as chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Robert Michel, whom he succeeded in representing the 18th District, and as district administrative assistant to Congressman Thomas Railsback. He also served in the Illinois State Legislature.
Before his career in government, LaHood was a high school teacher, having received his degree from Bradley University. He was also director of the Rock Island County Youth Services Bureau and chief planner for the Bi-States Metropolitan Planning Commission in Illinois.
LaHood and his wife, Kathy, have four children and seven grandchildren.
(Ray LaHood - File Photo. Story submitted by Monmouth College.) |
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| 03 23 09 by Newsroom |
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