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Congressman Ray LaHood announces he will not seek re-election
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Will
retire in January 2009 at conclusion of 110th Congress
[July 27, 2007]
PEORIA -- At news conferences in
Peoria, Springfield and Jacksonville on Friday, U.S. Rep. Ray
LaHood, R-Peoria, is announcing that he will not run for
re-election. He has released the following statement:
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 "This year marks my 30th year in public service. On Nov. 8, 1994, I
was honored to be elected to represent the citizens of the 18th
District. After working for congressman Bob Michel and congressman
Tom Railsback for 17 years in the minority party, I never imagined
that first election night would cap the day that swept the
Republican Party back into the majority on Capitol Hill.
"Since that first election almost 13 years ago, I have always
maintained that this was not a lifetime job. The time has come to
honor that commitment.
"Therefore, today I am announcing that I will not run for
re-election in 2008. There is still much to be done in the 110th
Congress, and I look forward to that work, but I will retire from
public life at the conclusion of this term in January of 2009.
"I truly believe that public service is a noble profession. The
citizens of the 18th District, by electing me as their
representative in the U.S. House, have given me a wonderful
opportunity to serve not only them, but all the people of Illinois
and of our great country. Being chosen by one's neighbors to
represent them in Congress is one of the greatest honors free people
can bestow on a fellow citizen. I owe a great debt of gratitude to
my supporters for this chance to serve.
"It is hard to express in words what it means to have the
opportunity to represent a district which was once represented by
such political giants as Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen and Bob
Michel.
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 "Today I cannot help but think of my parents, who instilled in me
an ethic of hard work, and my grandparents, who immigrated to the
U.S. through Ellis Island and eventually settled in Peoria. They
were welcomed with the typical generosity and warmth that
characterizes our part of the world. They were good citizens who
worked hard and raised a great family. That their grandson was able
to become a United States representative is proof that "the American
dream" is not just a slogan but a continuing living reality to those
who are willing to make it work. I know that is true, because my
fellow citizens helped me live that dream.
"In the end it is my family to whom I will be forever indebted.
During the past 30 years, my family, and particularly my wife,
Kathy, has carried many burdens and responsibilities alone as I
spent time away from them in an effort to live out my political
dream and fulfill my obligations as a public servant. They have
supported and encouraged me over the past three decades.
"It is time for me to attempt to repay that debt, and I truly
look forward to many wonderful years with my wife, my children and
my grandchildren.
"God bless the citizens of Illinois who have given me this
wonderful opportunity. God bless my family for everything they have
endured, and God bless the United States of America."
[Text from news release from
Rep. Ray LaHood, 18th
Congressional District] |
