12-20-2008, 07:04 PM
Foamer friends reporting in:
High-Speed Rail Advocates Applaud Choice for DOT Secretary
Rick Harnish, Executive Director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, had the following comments following the announcement by President-Elect Barack Obama that he was naming U.S. Representative Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) as Obama's choice for the position of U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
"We are pleased that President-elect Obama has selected Ray LaHood as his Secretary of Transportation -- designate.
"The next Secretary of Transportation will face many challenges as Americans are forced to rethink our transportation systems. LaHood's history in the House of Representatives has demonstrates his ability to forge consensus for real solutions.
"His work has shown him to be a supporter of passenger trains and transit.
"We've had excellent dealings with Representative LaHood. He has frequently shown his support for passenger trains. We are very pleased that he specifically noted the importance of Amtrak and transit at the news conference where his appointment was announced earlier today (Friday).
"We look forward to working with Transportation Secretary-designate LaHood and his staff in the future so that the Midwest and the nation can make fast, frequent and dependable trains a reality."