LaHood spends birthday with House Transportation Committee

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spent his birthday with members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

LaHood turned 67 on Thursday. He celebrated the occasion by testifying at a Transportation Committee hearing on high-speed rail.

There was no cake or ice cream, but members of the panel took time out to wish LaHood well before training their fire on the Obama administration's rail proposals.

"I understand it's your birthday. I don't think I would've chosen to spend my birthday with you, but I'm glad that you've chosen to spend your birthday with us," Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said to LaHood in a light-hearted moment early in Thursday's hearing.

Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) also got in on the act, telling LaHood that questioning from the panel would liven up his birthday.

"This probably added to your longevity," Mica said to LaHood at the end of the meeting. "They say that stimulation is good for the heart."

More seriously, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) told LaHood: "Mr. Secretary, you've earned many happy birthdays, both for your service in this administration, but for your long service to the United States in many capacities."

For his part, LaHood told reporters before the meeting that he does not make too much of a fuss about his birthday anymore.

"Birthdays are for my grandchildren," he quipped.  

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