WASHINGTON, DC, January 26, 2009 – Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) issued the following statement in response to the confirmation of Ray LaHood as secretary of the Department of Transportation:

“We look forward to Secretary LaHood playing a critical leadership role in bringing together the many federal agencies and departments needed to formulate a detailed, executable and fiscally sound plan to modernize our nation’s air transportation system,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s president and CEO. “On Capitol Hill, he was known for his tremendous effectiveness at building consensus on both sides of the aisle to advance legislation and solve problems. This skill, coupled with his knowledge of transportation policy, will be invaluable as industry and government join together to tackle the transportation challenges in front of our nation. We are excited about working closely with him and his team in the years ahead.”

LaHood was a seven-term Republican Congressman from Central Illinois. Prior to becoming a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he was an aide to Representatives Thomas Railsback (R-IL) and House Minority Leader Robert Michel (R-IL), and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.