By TIM ALEXANDER
Illinois Correspondent

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former Illinois 18th Congressional District Rep. Ray LaHood of Peoria was officially confirmed as U.S. Department of Transportation secretary by voice vote of the Senate on Jan. 22.

As previously reported, a number of ag-related associations and leaders praised LaHood’s nomination for the post, citing his past willingness to promote projects and initiatives of importance to Midwest farmers and his fairness in dealing with those from either side of the political aisle as reasons for their support.

LaHood, one of only two Republicans picked by President Obama to serve in his cabinet, told reporters the confirmation represented the capstone of his political career, which included seven terms as U.S. congressman representing central Illinois.

“For a guy who grew up on the East Bluff of Peoria and my parents were just hardworking people, to have the opportunity to continue my public service career is a wonderful cap to my career and I couldn’t be any more happy,” said LaHood, who became the first Peorian to be named to a cabinet position.

State agriculture groups that endorsed LaHood’s nomination and appointment as secretary included the Illinois Corn Growers Assoc. (ICGA), the Illinois Soybean Assoc., the Iowa-based Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) and the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Assoc. (IFCA). ICGA President Rob Elliott said following LaHood’s Dec. 19 nomination that the former congressman had been a friend to Illinois agriculture and someone they could trust to listen to their concerns.

“His nomination to the post is a win for all businesses that are suffering because they can’t get their products to their customers,” said Elliott, referring to infrastructure problems of slow rail, barge and over-the-road transportation of commodities.

“He understands the infrastructure issues we have in Illinois and is especially cognizant of the need for lock construction on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, which is a very important issue for Illinois corn growers.”

A former constituent of LaHood’s, Atlanta, Ill., farmer and STC board member Ron Kindred echoed Elliott’s remarks regarding LaHood’s familiarity with issues of importance to agriculture.

“Our nation’s roads and highways, locks and dams and rail network are essential and in need of investment. Congressman LaHood has demonstrated strong support for this over the years,” said Kindred, who also serves on the board of the American Farm Bureau Assoc.
Speaking just hours after Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration, IFCA President Jean Payne said her association was looking forward to working with LaHood on transportation issues affecting the industry.
“It’s nice to know we have a good relationship with Ray LaHood,” said Payne, addressing IFCA officials and members during the organization’s annual meeting in Peoria. “He is aware of the many issues and hurdles we face and we are looking forward to working with him and the Obama administration.”

Payne said the IFCA is particularly concerned about current legislation that would write tougher rules for obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

“In a seasonal business like ours, (the legislation) would make it very difficult to find part-time CDL drivers to transport fertilizers, chemicals and fuel,” she said. “The new regulations would be very onerous to our industry.”

LaHood told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that if confirmed his first priority as Transportation secretary would be to make sure the money Congress sets aside for construction projects to stimulate the economy will be wisely spent. He promised to move forward quickly with measures to install new fuel economy standards for vehicles.