A former member of Congress and President Obama's cabinet will visit Augustana College. On Tuesday Ray LaHood will present this year's Ellwood F. Curtis Family Lecture in Public Affairs entitled "Seeking Bipartisanship: My Life in Politics."
He represented Illinois' 18th District in Congress from 1995 to 2009, then served as Secretary of Transportation from 2009 to 2013.
After graduating from Bradley University in Peoria, LaHood first taught middle school social studies, then worked as director of the Rock Island County Youth Services Bureau, followed by several years as an assistnt for Moline congressman Tom Railsback. After briefly filling a vacant seat in the Ilinois House, he went to work for US House Minority Leader Bob Michel from Peoria. And when he retired, LaHood won his seat in the US House.
His lecture begins at 7:30 pm Tuesday in Wallenberg Hall. It's free and open to the public.