Politics & Government

US Sec. of Transportation LaHood Speaks to Herndon Rotary Members

LaHood outlines his vision for high-speed rail in the United States

Though U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is himself a Rotarian, it had been quite a while since he attended a Rotary meeting, until Wednesday.

LaHood was a special guest to the Herndon Rotary Club on Wednesday, talking about transportation efforts both locally and in the U.S., as well as answering questions of those in attendance.

It was during a flight that Herndon Rotarian and flight attendant Steve Cohen met LaHood and talked to him about the Fantasy Flight at Dulles International Airport. LaHood decided to attend Fantasy Flight, and during the event Rotarians asked him if he could speak to the Herndon members and he agreed.

Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I was so impressed when I met many of you at the North Pole,” LaHood said at Wednesday’s meeting. He said Rotary is about giving back and seeing Herndon’s members do so at Fantasy Flight was a great example.

LaHood said one of the reasons he wanted to visit the Herndon Rotary club, is because he doesn’t want anyone to think that his job as Secretary of Transportation is too big to do things like visit community organizations like Rotary. He said it is those kinds of groups that helped him succeed, and are important to the communities they serve.

Find out what's happening in Herndonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the meeting LaHood spent about 10 minutes speaking about high-speed rail, which is a major transportation focus for President Barack Obama. He said within the next 25 years they would like to connect 80 percent of Americans by high-speed rail.

LaHood said in the past, leaders in the country took the risk to build the interstate system and it is one of the great accomplishments of the U.S. He said the previous generation invested in roads for this generation, and this generation has an opportunity to make an investment in the next by focusing on rail.

The top priority of LaHood and the Obama administration is making sure roads and bridges throughout the country are safe. He said their second priority is putting next generation technology in airports and airplanes, which will have positive benefits such as saving fuel and relieving congestion.

LaHood said beyond that there is also a need to make sure transit commuter systems are maintained. He said they have the ability to focus on future transportation investments as well as maintain current transportation systems. He said the president “has a big, bold vision,” and it will be evident in his budget that his focus is on transportation and health care.

Rotary member Arthur Nachman asked where the US Department of Transportation plans to fund projects when current revenue streams become thin. Nachman said more fuel-efficient cars mean less money is being raised through gas taxes.
LaHood said there are plans to create an infrastructure bank for large projects. He said they also plan to raise funds through tolling. Beyond that, he said they will see what other ideas congress comes up with.

LaHood also touched on the U.S. auto industry. He said when companies that have been the backbone of the country’s economy for decades need help it is the U.S.’s obligation to do so. He said GM paid back the money they received from the government, with interest, and Chrysler will be able to repay the government this year.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here