Mary E. Peters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Peters
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Official portrait, 2006
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| 15th United States Secretary of Transportation | |
| In office October 17, 2006 – January 20, 2009 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Norman Mineta |
| Succeeded by | Ray LaHood |
| Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration | |
| In office October 2, 2001 – July 29, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Kenneth R. Wykle |
| Succeeded by | J. Richard Capka |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 4, 1948 Peoria, Arizona, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of Phoenix (BA) |
Mary Elizabeth Peters (born December 4, 1948) is an American government official. She served as the 15th United States secretary of transportation from 2006 to 2009. She worked under President George W. Bush. Mary Peters was the second woman to hold this important position.
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Early Life and Education
Mary Peters was born in Peoria, Arizona. She earned her bachelor's degree in business from the University of Phoenix. She also attended a special seminar at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. When Mary was six, her parents divorced. Her father raised her and her three siblings in Phoenix, Arizona.
Career in Transportation
Mary Peters started working for the Arizona Department of Transportation in 1985. In 1998, Governor Jane Dee Hull chose her to be the director of the department.
After George W. Bush became president in 2001, Peters moved to Washington, D.C. There, she worked as the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. She held this role until 2005.
Becoming Transportation Secretary
On September 5, 2006, President Bush nominated Mary Peters to become the Secretary of Transportation. She replaced Norman Mineta. The United States Senate approved her nomination on September 29, 2006.
As Secretary, she helped lead a group called the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. She left her role as Secretary of Transportation in January 2009. Ray LaHood became the next Secretary.
Transportation Policies
Mary Peters supported the idea of private companies managing U.S. roads. She believed that charging user fees, like tolls, could help build new highways. She said that the National Highway System needed big changes to get enough money. Instead of raising taxes, she suggested that some states could lease roads to private companies. These companies would then collect tolls.
During her time as Secretary, a rule was passed about animals on commercial airlines. This rule allowed certain animals, like dogs, cats, and miniature horses, to be considered emotional support animals. This meant they could travel in the airplane cabin with their owners.
Images for kids
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Official portrait of Mary Peters, 2006
See also
In Spanish: Mary E. Peters para niños
