[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page H1075]]



       ALEXIS HERMAN--EXCELLENT CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF LABOR

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Brown] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Alexis 
Herman, who is the most appropriate person to head this country's 
Department of Labor. As many of my colleagues know, Mrs. Herman has 
spent much of her life preparing for this job. Almost 20 years ago, 
Mrs. Herman headed the women's division of the Department of Labor 
under President Carter and she has been building on that success ever 
since. Mrs. Herman has spent most of her working life as an advocate 
for minorities in businesses, including the corporate sector.

                              {time}  1845

  She has been an effective leader, and she has looked out for the 
interests of the working people of this country. Because of her 
efforts, this country is now a better place for business and for the 
workers. Mrs. Herman has done a great job heading the President's 
liaison office for the last 4 years, and she will do even a better job 
as heading the Department of Labor.
  As an African-American and a woman, Mrs. Herman has overcome many 
obstacles in her rise to become one of the leading advocates for 
business and economic development in our country. I implore my 
colleagues in the Senate to confirm the nomination of Alexis Herman 
without delay.
  Ms. Herman has earned our support and our confidence.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. Hilliard] for 
a colloquy.
  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I understand the gentlewoman from Florida 
has a fantastic story she would like to tell us about Ms. Alexis 
Herman.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.
  Recently in Eatonville, a little town in my district, a young lady 
came up to me and asked me did I know Mrs. Alexis Herman because she 
was from Mobile, AL. And speaking of family values, she told me about 
her mother who was the librarian in the little school there and taught 
them the importance of taking care of what they had since they did not 
have much. Her father was a community leader and sent best wishes to 
Ms. Alexis Herman. So when we talk about family values, it is important 
to understand that Alexis Herman comes from the kind of roots that has 
made this country great.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Meek].
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding to me. Once in a while good people come into government, good 
people who base their decisionmaking on experience, good people who 
base their decisionmaking on the love of God and faith in the people. 
Alexis Herman is that kind of person.
  I stand to ask support of the Senate to confirm Ms. Alexis Herman. 
They could not find a better person, both from an educational point of 
view, from a professional point of view and from a personal point of 
view. They will find someone who is a team player, who will look 
through both parties, not one, who will look to the education of our 
children to be sure that they learn to work. She understands the work 
ethic. She understands labor. She is fair.
  Mr. Speaker, to my dear colleagues, I think today this country and 
our wonderful Nation did itself proud in the U.S. Senate, because there 
was a very, very good and positive hearing about Alexis Herman's 
qualifications. I am very pleased that we are here today to say that. 
We have a person who understands. She is no ordinary person. She is no 
ordinary government worker. She is an extraordinary person who 
understands how to do ordinary things.

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