Abraham Lincoln's Legacy
Congressman Ray LaHood represents almost the entire area which was contained in the Congressional District represented by Abraham Lincoln for his one term (1847-1849) in the U.S. House.
Lincoln's Congressional District (the 7th District) ran north to south along the eastern bank of the Illinois River. The counties he represented were: Cass, Logan, Marshall, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Putnam, Sangamon, Scott, Tazewell, and Woodford. All of these counties are part of the current 18th District.
Though often overlooked by other events in his life, Lincoln's term in Congress was a pivotal time in his development as a national figure. His tenure on Capitol Hill gave him the experience of working on national issues, laying the groundwork for his future run for the U.S. Senate and his successful campaigns for the Presidency.
Illinois, known as the Land of Lincoln, is where Lincoln grew into adulthood and rose to fame. The Central and Western Illinois counties contained in the current 18th District represent the very heart of the Lincoln Legacy. Sites such as the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, New Salem, Lincoln's Tomb, several courthouses where Lincoln practiced law as well as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are all within the 18th Congressional District.
As the Congressman from the "Lincoln District", Ray has been chosen to co-chair the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission which is planning the national celebration for the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth in 2009. Ray also played a vital role in spearheading federal funding for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Lincoln's hometown of Springfield.