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Former U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) died Wednesday after a fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 62.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) lauded the congressman's accomplishments in both public transit and freight rail.

"As a senior member of the Republican leadership and a strong believer in the Mass Transit Account, [LaTourette] successfully fought with APTA against the ill-conceived effort to eliminate dedicated federal transit funding in 2012," said APTA Chair Valarie McCall and Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Richard White in a statement.

They added that LaTourette was "a voice of reason and an exemplary example of what it means to be a selfless public servant."

"He worked tirelessly to find solutions, regardless of party labels," McCall and White said.

In addition, LaTourette was a leader for many years on transportation and other issues, said AAR President and CEO Edward Hamberger, adding that the rail industry is "deeply saddened" by LaTourette's death.

"The AAR had the honor of working with Rep. LaTourette during his time on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including during his service as chairman of the panel's Subcommittee on Railroads, and always found him to be fair: gathering facts from all sides and at the end of the day, exercising good judgment," Hamberger said.