Skip to main content

LaHood steps down as Transportation Secretary

US transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that he will not serve a second term in President Obama’s Cabinet. LaHood, one of the few Republicans in Obama’s Cabinet, said he will stay in his position until his successor is confirmed. “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the department, and I am grateful to President Obama for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity,” LaHood said in a statement to Transpiration employees. “As I look back on the past four years, I am proud of what we h
January 31, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
US transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced that he will not serve a second term in President Obama’s Cabinet.  LaHood, one of the few Republicans in Obama’s Cabinet, said he will stay in his position until his successor is confirmed.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the department, and I am grateful to President Obama for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity,” LaHood said in a statement to Transpiration employees. “As I look back on the past four years, I am proud of what we have accomplished together in so many important areas.”

LaHood praised his department’s staff effusively, thanking his staff and Transportation’s career employees for accomplishments in areas such as creating jobs through stimulus funds and grants, the Distracted Driver Initiative, the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorisation, and investments in building and repairing transportation infrastructure.

President Obama thanked LaHood, who has been an outspoken supporter of Obama’s transportation investment proposals, not just for his service but also for his friendship.
“I want to thank Secretary LaHood for his dedication, his hard work, and his years of service to the American people, including the outstanding work he’s done over the last four years as secretary of Transportation,” Obama said in a statement. “Years ago, we were drawn together by a shared belief that those of us in public service owe an allegiance not to party or faction, but to the people we were elected to represent.  And Ray has never wavered in that belief.”

Scott Belcher, president and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (560 ITS America),said, “Secretary LaHood has been a stalwart advocate for the nation’s transportation system, working tirelessly over the past four years to find solutions to critical safety, mobility and infrastructure challenges. His willingness to tackle tough problems and speak out about issues like distracted driving and the need for greater infrastructure investment has significantly elevated the role of transportation in the national dialogue, including as a key driver of economic growth. We have been particularly grateful for the Secretary’s active participation in the ITS community and his strong support for the connected vehicle program and other technology-based solutions. We look forward to continuing to work with Secretary LaHood and his leadership team to ensure a smooth transition and to continue advancing innovative solutions to the nation’s transportation challenges.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • “It's vital to encourage more newcomers into ITS from a broad range of backgrounds”
    November 27, 2023
    The intelligent transportation industry has a need for young people and the structured learning and practical experience of apprenticeships might help attract them, thinks Alistair Gollop, founder of ITS Now
  • Transport ripe for investment
    May 21, 2012
    Leading investors spelt out the attractiveness of the ITS space for investment yesterday as they met with the technology specialists at the start of ITS America’s 22nd Annual Meeting. This was the continuation of an initiative launched by ITSA at the 2011 ITS World Congress in Orlando, creating a forum for financial firms to meet with the ITS companies developing products and services ripe for investment.
  • IRU and UITP join forces to promote sustainable mobility
    October 10, 2014
    The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP), the two largest global road and public transport federations, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate and jointly advocate solutions to meet modern mobility challenges worldwide. Supported by an annual Working Programme, the MoU sets the basis for cooperation on policy issues of common interest in public transport including taxis, education and professional training, social dialogue
  • Winners of ITS Australia awards announced
    November 29, 2012
    Nominations reflecting world's best practice in the intelligent transport systems (ITS) industry were winners at the third ITS Australia awards presentation ceremony in Melbourne. ITS Australia President and Chair of the Awards Judging Panel Brian Negus said that the entries in Australia's awards program would perform well in any competition around the world. "After attending the ITS World Congress last month and seeing and hearing countless best practice case studies, we are confident that winners of our l