Ray LaHood facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Ray LaHood
Official portrait, 2009
16th United States Secretary of Transportation
In office January 23, 2009 – July 2, 2013
President	Barack Obama
Deputy	Thomas J. Barrett John Porcari
Preceded by	Mary Peters
Succeeded by	Anthony Foxx
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 18th district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Robert Michel
Succeeded by	Aaron Schock
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 72nd district
In office May 1, 1982 – January 11, 1983
Preceded by	Ben Polk
Succeeded by	Bob DeJaegher
Personal details
Born	(1945-12-06) December 6, 1945 (age 79) Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kathy
Children	4, including Darin
Education	Spoon River College Bradley University (BS)

Raymond H. LaHood (born December 6, 1945) is an American politician. He served as the 16th United States Secretary of Transportation from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Before this, he was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1982 to 1983. He also served in the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009. In 2015, he co-authored a book called Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics.

Early Life and Education

Ray LaHood was born in Peoria, Illinois. His father, Edward M. LaHood, was a Lebanese American who ran a restaurant. His mother, Mary A. LaHood, had German family roots.

He went to Spalding Institute (now Peoria Notre Dame High School). He worked his way through Canton Junior College and Bradley University in Peoria. In 1971, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education and sociology.

Political Career Highlights

After college, LaHood taught middle school social studies in both public and Catholic schools. He said that teaching students about the Constitution and government made him interested in politics.

He worked for U.S. Representative Tom Railsback from 1977 to 1982. In 1982, he was appointed to a vacant seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. He served for nine months. Later, he became the chief of staff for U.S. House Minority Leader Robert Michel, serving from 1982 to 1994.

Serving in Congress

In 1994, when Robert Michel retired, LaHood ran for and won his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented Illinois's 18th congressional district. LaHood was known for trying to get members of different political parties to work together. In 1997, he organized special retreats for members of Congress to encourage cooperation.

During his time in Congress, he often served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the House. This meant he led many debates. In 1998, he notably oversaw the important discussions about the impeachment of President Bill Clinton.

LaHood strongly supported keeping the history of Abraham Lincoln alive. His district covered much of the area Lincoln represented. LaHood helped create a law that set up the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. This commission planned celebrations for Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009. He also supported the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.

He was a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 1995 to 2000. He also served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Appropriations Committee. In 2005, he voted against renewing the PATRIOT Act. He felt it gave the government too much power.

LaHood decided not to run for re-election in 2008.

Becoming Secretary of Transportation

Ray LaHood helping with a Habitat for Humanity project in Brooklyn, New York City, June 2009

On December 19, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced that he would choose LaHood to be the next Secretary of Transportation. LaHood had experience with transportation issues from his time on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He was also known for his ability to bring people together from different political sides.

The Senate approved his nomination on January 21, 2009. He was one of two Republican members in President Obama's first cabinet.

In 2010, LaHood was asked about Toyota's recall of vehicles due to sudden acceleration. He suggested that Toyota owners should contact their local dealer to get their cars fixed as soon as possible.

LaHood supports airline passenger rights, making sure they have access to facilities, food, and water during long delays. He is also a strong supporter of high-speed rail. He believes that high-speed rail is something the American people want and will use.

In February 2013, LaHood expressed concern about the amount of money Congress approved for infrastructure. He said that America needed more improvements to its roads and bridges. He noted that Congress passed a two-year transportation bill, but usually, they would pass a five-year bill. This was because they could not find enough money for a longer bill.

LaHood announced he would step down as Transportation Secretary at the end of Obama's first term in 2013. He did not seek any more public office. President Obama nominated Anthony Foxx to take his place. Foxx was confirmed and sworn in on July 2, 2013.

After Federal Service

On November 21, 2019, Governor J. B. Pritzker nominated LaHood to be a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Board of Trustees.

LaHood did not support Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections. Instead, he supported the Democratic candidates, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.

Honors and Recognition

In May 2013, Illinois State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth proposed renaming a 6-mile part of Interstate 74 as the Ray LaHood Highway. This section was part of a major road improvement project that LaHood had supported.

Also in May 2013, a portrait of Ray LaHood was unveiled at the Abraham Lincoln U.S. Department of Transportation Building. The portrait included a bust of Abraham Lincoln, honoring LaHood's work to preserve Lincoln's legacy.

In 2016, he was given the Order of Lincoln. This is the highest honor in Illinois, awarded by the Governor. In April 2016, the new international terminal at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport was named after him. It opened in late May 2016.

Electoral History

Ray LaHood's congressional seat, Illinois's 18th congressional district, has been held by Republicans since 1939.

• Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1994, write-ins received 955 votes. In 1998, write-ins received 2 votes.

LaHood did not run for re-election in 2008. Aaron Schock won the seat for the Republicans in the 2008 election.

Family Life

Ray LaHood and his wife Kathleen live in Peoria, Illinois. They have four children: Darin, Amy, Sam, and Sara. Their son Darin LaHood is also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He has represented Illinois's 18th congressional district since 2015.

In 2012, LaHood's son, Sam LaHood, was involved in a situation in Egypt. He was working for a non-governmental organization (NGO) that monitored elections. The Egyptian government stopped him and other NGO workers from leaving the country.

Later, Egyptian authorities charged Sam LaHood and others with operating without a license and receiving foreign funding. The U.S. government expressed concern about the situation. Sam LaHood was able to leave Egypt on March 1, 2012. He was later tried in Egypt while not present and was given a five-year jail term and a fine.

See also

• List of Arab and Middle-Eastern Americans in the United States Congress
• List of U.S. political appointments that crossed party lines