As a former member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am working to make major improvements to our road, rail and aviation networks to diminish gridlock, enhance our area's economic growth, help protect our environment and encourage sensible growth policies that respect property rights while seeking to improve quality of life.

Early in 2003, Congress will begin crafting a major transportation bill that will set the course of infrastructure development over the next decade. I am working with Speaker Denny Hastert and my colleagues in the Illinois delegation to ensure that Illinois receives an equitable share of federal resources to invest in our transportation system.

As the crossroads of America, Illinois is the hub of our road, rail and aviation networks. The entire nation depends on our state to keep people and products moving and I will fight to make sure that the transportation bill reflects the important role our state plays in our nation's transportation infrastructure.