Ray LaHood
Raymond H. LaHood (born December 6, 1945 in Peoria , Illinois ) is an American Republican Party politician who served as United States Secretary of Transportation in the cabinet of Democratic President Barack Obama from January 22, 2009 to July 2, 2013 officiated. LaHood had previously been a member of the US House of Representatives since 1995 as a representative of Illinois' 18th electoral district.
Ray LaHood, who is of Lebanese-German descent, attended Bradley University in his hometown of Peoria, where he received his degree in Education . He subsequently worked as a teacher at a high school, for a youth welfare facility in Rock Island County, and as a contributor to Congressmen Tom Railsback and Robert H. Michel . In 1982 he started a political career himself and became a member of the Illinois House of Representatives .
When Michel retired, Ray LaHood succeeded him in Congress . In 1994 he was elected to the House of Representatives during the Republican Revolution . There he was, however, one of only three Republican MPs who did not sign Majority Leader Newt Gingrich's Contract with America .
After his first election to the House of Representatives, LaHood was elected six more times, two of which were unopposed. He represents the 18th electoral district, which includes the cities of Jacksonville , Peoria and Springfield . Most recently he won in 2006 with 67:33 percent of the vote against Steve Waterworth. In 2008 he did not run for re-election; the seat went to the Republican Aaron Schock , who took up his mandate in early 2009. LaHood rejected an envisaged candidacy against Governor Rod Blagojevich in 2005 because he was not considered popular enough outside his constituency.
Ray LaHood made a name for himself in Congress by presiding over more debates than any other MP. Among other things, he chaired the vote on President Bill Clinton's impeachment in December 1998. He is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership , an association of moderate Republicans. As a staunch advocate of Abraham Lincoln's legacy , he drafted a bill to set up a commission to coordinate the celebrations for the 200th birthday of the 16th US President in 2009.
On December 19, 2008, President-elect Obama announced the nomination of LaHood to succeed Mary Peters at the helm of the Department of Transportation. Critics complain that he was no longer a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, and see his appointment as more of a symbolic act due to his membership of the Republicans. On January 21, 2009, his appointment was confirmed by acclamation by the Senate .
Ray LaHood is the father of Congressman Darin LaHood .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archived copy ( memento of the original from March 9, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Washington Post, December 18, 2008
- ^ Wall Street Journal: What Role Will LaHood Play in the Obama Cabinet?
Web links
- Ray LaHood in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
- Ray LaHood in the Miller Center of Public Affairs of the University of Virginia (English)
- LaHood's votes in Congress, documented by the Washington Post
- Project Vote Smart
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | LaHood, Ray |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | LaHood, Raymond H. |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 6, 1945 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Peoria , Illinois |