U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) was named Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in recognition for his dedication to improving transportation policy in Southern West Virginia and across the nation. Rahall also serves as the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

"The transportation achievements made by this country truly set us apart as a world leader during the 20th century," said Rahall. "I am honored to help lead such an important and influential committee, and steer our country toward future greatness."

"Last night's tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota was a clear call for a serious reassessment of our transportation infrastructure. By investing in the transportation needs of our country, we can work to make sure tragedies like this never happen again, and get back to rebuilding America" added Rahall.

As the Committee's second most senior Democrat, Rahall has more than 30 years experience in transportation policy and has proudly worked on every federal highway bill since coming to Congress. With transportation as the first T of his "three T's" (Transportation, Technology, and Tourism) agenda, Rahall is dedicated to his belief that a more secure and prosperous America begins here at home, by properly investing in community transportation and infrastructure, and by launching economic initiatives that will improve the overall strength and stability of Southern West Virginia

In 1998, Rahall was a key architect in the formulation of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (known as TEA 21). The bill established the Rahall Transportation Institute (RTI), a consortium of five Southern West Virginia colleges, housed at Marshall University. Recently, Rahall helped RTI win designation as a National Maritime Enhancement Institute to enable the school to compete for federal grants related to research regarding inland maritime activities. This is one of only seven so-named universities in the nation, further advancing RTI's mission of "Building Jobs through Transportation" for West Virginia.

"A smooth running transportation infrastructure can be an economic engine for Southern West Virginia," continued Rahall. "As Vice Chairman of this Committee, I will continue to work hard to see that the needs of our most challenging projects, such as the I-73/74 Huntington-to-Bluefield Corridor, Route 10, the Coalfields Expressway, the Shawnee Parkway, the New River Parkway, and the Z-Way in Beckley, are met."