26 January 2009

The Cabinet: Transportation

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood

Secretary Ray LaHood

Ray LaHood was sworn in January 22, 2009, as secretary of transportation. LaHood, a Republican, was a representative from the state of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has served in the Illinois Legislature and worked as an intermediate-school teacher.

See “Obama Adds Republican Arab American to List of Cabinet Picks.”

The Department of Transportation, established 1966

Mission: Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.

Staff: 53,500 employees

Duties: The department promotes the safety and reliability of the various modes of passenger and cargo transportation — by air, rail, highway and pipeline. Key agencies include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

History: Established in 1966, the department once included the U.S. Coast Guard, but that service, along with other security-related agencies across the federal government, was transferred to the new Department of Homeland Security in 2003.

International engagement: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs works with international partners to develop and coordinate domestic and international aviation policies.

Fun fact: Maintenance of the 75,000-kilometer U.S. Interstate Highway System is made possible by the Interstate Construction Program administered by the Federal Highway Administration.

More information: Department of Transportation.

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)