Following Hilda L. Solis’ announcement that she is stepping down as secretary of labor, several people and groups offered a few words regarding her service.
"Over her long career in public service – as an advocate for environmental justice in California, state legislator, member of Congress and Secretary of Labor – Hilda Solis has been a tireless champion for working families. … Her efforts have helped train workers for the jobs of the future, protect workers’ health and safety, and put millions of Americans back to work.”
– President Barack Obama
“Secretary Solis has been an exemplary public servant and a fierce champion for workers’ rights. She served as a strong voice at the Department of Labor during a particularly challenging time for our nation’s economy and for our middle class.”
– Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
“As secretary of labor, Hilda Solis has been a tireless advocate for all hardworking Americans. She understands their everyday struggles. … I look forward to President Obama nominating – and the U.S. Senate confirming – a successor who will build upon the good work of Secretary Solis.”
– Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
“Under Secretary Solis, the Labor Department became a place of safety and support for workers. Secretary Solis’ Department of Labor talks tough and acts though on enforcement, workplace safety, wage and hour violations, and so many other vital services.”
– Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO president
Also, over at the Washington Post’s political blog, Wonkblog, reporter Brad Plumer has a wrap-up of how Solis’ time as secretary went. Here’s a key excerpt:
“Experts say that the people in charge of [OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration] can make a big difference to actual workplace conditions. And the consensus is that Solis was far more aggressive than her predecessor during the George W. Bush years, Elaine Chao.”
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