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LaHood talks about state's past, present and future

BY SCOTT FITZGERALD, THE SOUTHERN

Monday, April 28, 2008 10:40 PM CDT

CARBONDALE - Illinois has affected national politics with many of its public servants who have gone to Washington.

"We have a long, rich history of Illinois-elected people who move up into leadership positions in Washington," said Congressman Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, who was in Carbondale on Monday to speak at Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a Paul Simon Public Policy Institute guest.

During an earlier news conference, the seven-term Congressman, who is not seeking re-election this November, spoke about achievements and milestones he's been a part of in the nation's capital.

"I've participated in historic events the last 14 years. As these parts of history unfolded, I was in Washington, D.C.," said LaHood, who entered the political arena in 1982 as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

He also spoke about the current state of Illinois politics and shared a few names of those he considers future political stars in the Land of Lincoln.

"We know three things that the new administration will have to contend with - the war, the economy and energy. Those are three issues we face," LaHood said.

The former junior high school social studies teacher and Bradley University graduate said one of his greatest achievements as a Congressman has been to break through partisan barriers.

"I co-chaired four bipartisan retreats and helped develop friendships that went beyond politics," LaHood said.

He remembers being in Washington during some unforgettable moments like Sept. 11, 2001. It prompted LaHood to vote for President Bush's invasion of Afghanistan and later, Iraq.

And he was there for the historic 2006 House vote that propelled Nancy Pelosi as the first female speaker of the House of Representatives.

LaHood said Illinois has lost a lot of senior leaders in Washington, such as Congressman Bob Michel, for whom LaHood worked for as chief of staff, and Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, who chaired the House Ways and Means Committee.

"Because of the lousy leadership now in Illinois, much has to be replenished," LaHood said, noting two young leaders he considers as rising stars - Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel and State Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria, who won a three-way Republican primary in a quest to succeed LaHood.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com / 351-5076