Biographical information on Ray LaHood

[December 18, 2008]  (AP) 

NAME -- Ray LaHood.

AGE-BIRTH DATE-LOCATION -- 63; Dec. 6, 1945; Peoria, Ill.

EDUCATION -- B.S. in education and sociology, Bradley University, 1971.

EXPERIENCE -- U.S. representative from Illinois, 1994-present; chief of staff, Rep. Robert Michel, 1990-1994, and beginning work in Michel's office in 1983; member, Illinois House, 1982; worked for Rep. Tom Railsback, 1977-1982; also worked as a junior high school teacher, chief planner for the Bi-State Metropolitan Planning Commission and as the director of the Rock Island (Ill.) County youth services bureau.

FAMILY -- Wife, Kathy; four children.

QUOTE -- "We trash each other and end up making the institution look bad. ... That's why Congress' approval ratings are so low." -- On Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

[Associated Press]

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