By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Former National Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood remembers longtime U.S. Rep. Bob Michel as an “extraordinary person.”

Michel died last week at the age of 93. LaHood served as Michel’s Chief of Staff for more than a decade.

LaHood told WJBC’s Sam Wood Michel was a great mentor for many in Congress.

“He loved public service. He loved, very much, his job,” said LaHood. “I think when he was elected Republican leader in 1980, the same year that President Reagan was elected, they made a great team.

“For eight years they worked very hard on behalf of the American people.”

LaHood said a lot of the success Reagan had when it come to legislation was the result of the work Michel did to reach across the aisle and make deals.

“Bob Michel never thought compromise was a bad word. He felt that under the system that existed that you had to be willing to compromise and you had to be willing to be bipartisan if you’re going to get anything done,” he said.

LaHood added there’s no doubt the current Congress is not as willing to make compromises.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].