[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made a statement following the announcement of President-elect Barack Obama’s nomination of Representative Ray LaHood (R-IL) as Secretary of Transportation.

“Throughout his career, Congressman Ray LaHood has been a model for fairness and bipartisanship. Over the sixteen years he served as a Congressman from Illinois his ability to tackle tough issues with a reasonable and balanced approach allowed him to command the respect of his peers on both sides of the aisle.”

“LaHood is a tremendous choice for Secretary of Transportation. He has voiced strong support for critical rail and public transportation infrastructure at times when his party deemed it unpopular. Having served a diverse district, he has always been able to build consensus when it came to meeting Illinois’ competing transportation needs.”

“I was saddened to see such a great friend retire from Congress earlier this year, but I look forward to working with him as we improve America’s transportation system and bring passenger rail into the twenty-first century.”