HJ0035 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0035 LRB098 11938 MST 45304 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Ray LaHood was appointed United States Secretary of Transportation in January of 2009; and

WHEREAS, Prior to becoming the United States Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood served Illinois' 18th Congressional District for 7 terms spanning the years 1995 to 2009, where he served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Appropriations Committee; and

WHEREAS, Secretary LaHood is a lifelong Peoria resident; he earned a degree in education and sociology at Bradley University and taught in public and Catholic Schools; and

WHEREAS, Secretary LaHood has dedicated his career to improving Peoria and central Illinois; he served as the chief planner for the Rock Island-based Bi-Metropolitan Commission, as an aid to Congressman Tom Railsback and Congressman Robert Michel, and as a member in the Illinois House of Representative from 1982 to 1983; and

WHEREAS, During his time serving in congress, Secretary LaHood was a leader in efforts to enhance central Illinois' infrastructure and promote economic development and helped make possible the funding for the construction of Interstate 74 between the Murray Baker Bridge and the Sterling Avenue Exit; and

WHEREAS, The City of Peoria made the decision to name this section of highway after Secretary LaHood; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, That we designate the section of Interstate 74 between the Murray Baker Bridge and the Sterling Avenue Exit in Peoria as the Ray LaHood Highway in honor of the Secretary's service to the State of Illinois and his essential role in securing funding for the highway; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State regulations, plaques or signs giving notice of the name; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Illinois Secretary of Transportation Ann L. Schneider and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.