Ray LaHood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ray LaHood
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Official portrait, 2009
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| 16th United States Secretary of Transportation | |
| In office January 23, 2009 – July 2, 2013 |
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| 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 |
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| In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Michel |
| Succeeded by | Aaron Schock |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 72nd district |
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| In office May 1, 1982 – January 11, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Ben Polk |
| Succeeded by | Bob DeJaegher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 6, 1945 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. He worked under President Barack Obama. LaHood is a member of the Republican Party. Before his time as Secretary, he was in the Illinois House of Representatives (1982–1983). He also served in the United States House of Representatives (1995–2009).
In 2015, Ray LaHood published a book called Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics. He wrote it with Frank H. Mackaman. The book talks about his experiences in politics.
In 2019, Ray LaHood agreed to a special agreement with government lawyers. He admitted that he had accepted money for home repairs while in office. He also did not report this payment as required by government ethics rules. He repaid the money and paid a fine to the U.S. government.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ray LaHood was born in Peoria, Illinois. His father, Edward M. LaHood, was Lebanese American and ran a restaurant. His mother, Mary A. LaHood, had German family roots. In 2006, he was one of four Arab American members of Congress.
He went to Spalding Institute (now Peoria Notre Dame High School). He worked hard to pay for college. He attended Canton Junior College and Bradley University in Peoria. In 1971, he earned a degree in education and sociology.
Political Career
After college, LaHood taught middle school social studies. He taught in both public and Catholic schools. He has said that teaching kids about the government made him interested in politics.
LaHood worked for U.S. Representative Tom Railsback from 1977 to 1982. In 1982, he was chosen to fill an empty seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. He served for nine months. He ran for the seat in November 1982 but lost. After that, LaHood became a top assistant to U.S. House Minority Leader Robert Michel. He worked for Michel from 1982 until 1994.
Serving in Congress
When Robert Michel decided to retire in 1994, LaHood ran for his seat. He won and represented Illinois's 18th congressional district. LaHood was known for working with both political parties. In 1997, he organized meetings for members of Congress from different parties. These meetings helped them work together.
During his time in Congress, he often led debates as the Speaker Pro Tempore. This meant he oversaw more debates than almost anyone else. In 1998, he led the important debate about whether to formally accuse President Bill Clinton of wrongdoing. This process is called impeachment.
LaHood cared deeply about the history of Abraham Lincoln. LaHood's district included much of the area Lincoln once represented. LaHood helped create a law to celebrate Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009. He also supported the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
He served on several important committees in Congress. These included the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. In 2005, he voted against renewing the PATRIOT Act. He felt it gave the government too much power.
In 2006, LaHood chose to run for re-election to Congress instead of running for Governor of Illinois. He won his race easily. In 2007, he announced he would not run for re-election in 2008.
During the 2008 presidential election, LaHood supported John McCain. However, he criticized McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin. He said her speeches were too negative and that people did not like it.
Secretary of Transportation
On December 19, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced he would choose LaHood for Transportation Secretary. LaHood had experience on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He was known for being able to bring people together. This skill was important for the job.
The Senate approved his nomination on January 21, 2009. He was one of two Republican members in Obama's first Cabinet.
In 2010, LaHood was asked about Toyota's recall of cars due to sudden acceleration. He suggested that Toyota owners should stop driving their cars. He quickly clarified his statement. He meant owners should contact their dealer to get their cars fixed right away.
LaHood supports airline passenger rights. He believes passengers should have access to food and water during long delays. He also strongly supports high-speed rail. He believes it is what Americans want and that it will be successful.
In 2013, LaHood talked about how Congress approved less money for roads and bridges than he hoped. He said, "America is one big pothole right now." He noted that Congress passed a two-year transportation bill instead of a five-year one. This was because they could not find enough money for a longer bill.
LaHood announced he would step down as Transportation Secretary in 2013. He did not seek any more public office. Instead, he began working in the private sector. 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 join the board of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. He left this job in April 2021. This happened after it became known that he paid a fine for not reporting a loan he received.
LaHood did not support Donald Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections. He supported the Democratic candidate Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.
Honors and Recognition
In May 2013, Illinois State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth proposed renaming a part of Interstate 74 after Ray LaHood. This section was part of a big road project that LaHood had supported.
Also in May 2013, a portrait of LaHood was revealed. It showed him with a bust of Abraham Lincoln in the background. This honored his service in Congress and as Secretary. The portrait was placed at the Abraham Lincoln U.S. Department of Transportation Building.
In 2016, he received the Order of Lincoln. This is the highest honor given by the Governor of Illinois. The new international terminal at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport was also named after him in April 2016. It opened in May 2016.
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 held by the Egyptian government. He was not allowed to leave the country. This was part of an investigation into groups that watch elections in Egypt. Sam LaHood was the director for the International Republican Institute in Egypt. He was later allowed to leave Egypt in March 2012.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2009
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LaHood helps with a Habitat for Humanity project in Brooklyn, New York City, June 2009
See also
In Spanish: Ray LaHood para niños
