President Obama Nominates Charlotte's Anthony Foxx To Lead Department of Transportation

Anthony Foxx accepts the nomination to lead the Department of Transportation following President Obama's remarks. Outgoing Secretary Ray LaHood (left) applauds his selection.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama nominated Charlotte, NC Mayor Anthony Foxx to be Secretary of Transportation, replacing outgoing secretary Ray LaHood. In tapping one of the nation's rising political talents, President Obama also blunted criticism of his failure to demonstrate the diversity he so often touts in the makeup of his Cabinet.

"I believe the selection of Mayor Foxx as the new Secretary of Transportation speaks volumes about this administration's commitment to business, to diversity and more importantly, to the needs of our nation's infrastructure," said U.S. Black Chambers President Ronald Busby, Sr. from the White House, where he witnessed the public nomination announcement. "Mr. Foxx has demonstrated his understanding of the critical roles aviation, rail, and shipping play in our nation's economy, and the importance of public transportation in keeping America's cities and regions vibrant. The USBC applauds the President's selection and expects that America's Black businesses will benefit from Mr. Foxx's service."



As mayor of one of America's most vibrant cities, Foxx knows firsthand that investing in world-class infrastructure is vital to creating good jobs and ensuring American businesses can grow and compete in the global economy. During his tenure as Mayor of Charlotte, Foxx has led efforts to improve his rapidly growing city's transit infrastructure to expand economic opportunity for businesses and workers. During Foxx's term as mayor, Charlotte has broken ground on the Charlotte Streetcar Project to bring modern electric tram service to the city as well as the Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility connecting freight from Charlotte to ports around the world. Charlotte has opened the third parallel runway at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, and moved to extend the LYNX light rail system to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

These initiatives and investments are important pieces of a comprehensive plan to meet Charlotte's transportation needs and maintain its position as a leader in the high-tech industry and 21st century job creation. Foxx's career as a public official, in a rapidly changing urban environment, has been marked by an ability to integrate local, state and federal resources to meet important transportation challenges - expertise he will bring to his critical interactions with leaders at the state and local level as Secretary of Transportation.