Trucking industry representatives are voicing support for President-Elect Barack Obama's nomination of Rep Ray LaHood (R-Illinois) as Secretary of Transportation.
"President-elect Obama's excellent pick of Congressman Ray LaHood for Transportation Secretary continues a tradition of much-needed bipartisanship on transportation issues in this country and as we all know, there are no Republican bridges or Democratic roads, only American bridges and American roads," said Greg Cohen, American Highway Users Alliance. "Both President-Elect Barack Obama and Congressman LaHood come from Illinois, which has its share of road and bridge challenges. According to US Department of Transportation data, 33 percent of major urban roads in Illinois suffer from chronic congestion."
LaHood is serving his seventh term representing the 18th District of Illinois, having been first elected in 1994. He is a former teacher, served in the Illinois State House of Representatives, and was district administrative assistant for US Rep Robert Michel for four years, succeeding him upon retirement.
"He led efforts to enhance Illinois' infrastructure, including the reconstruction of Interstate 74, expansion of US Route 67, and completion of Route 336," said Bill Graves, American Trucking Associations (ATA) president and chief executive officer.