[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``BILL'' RAGGIO

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor my longtime colleague 
in Nevada government, State senator William ``Bill'' Raggio, for his 
extensive record of public service and community activism.
  At this year's Governor's Points of Light Award Dinner, Senator 
Raggio will be honored with the inaugural ``Governor's Choice Award.'' 
This award, which will be formally presented by Governor Jim Gibbons on 
February 26, recognizes Senator Raggio for his commitment to community 
improvement through volunteerism and philanthropy.
  A longtime resident of Nevada, Bill has been a devoted and active 
member of his community. As a young man during World War II, Senator 
Raggio served his community and his country honorably as a second 
lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Upon return, he graduated 
from the University of Nevada at Reno before pursuing a law degree.
  Since that time, Bill has been a tireless advocate for the people of 
Nevada. He has served on the ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and 
also as the district attorney for Washoe County. In 1973, Bill made the 
jump to the State senate, where his career has flourished and continues 
today. He has worked in various capacities in the State's legislative 
body, and is currently the minority leader of the senate.
  I can think of no better recipient of the ``Governor's Choice Award'' 
than Senator Raggio. His 36 years of public service and selfless 
sacrifice are an example of how a single person can be an overwhelming 
influence for good in his community. There is no doubt that his wife 
Dale and their children are extremely proud of him. Indeed, all 
Nevadans have reason to be proud of Senator Raggio.
  I congratulate Senator Raggio upon receiving this tremendous honor, 
and wish him all the best in his future undertakings.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, strong leadership at the Department of 
Labor is essential as the economy continues to worsen.
  Workers who are struggling need leaders who have been there, who know 
what it is like to grow up in a working class household. Hilda Solis is 
the right person to run the most important federal agency for workers 
who need a helping hand. I strongly support her nomination.
  Congresswoman Solis grew up in southern California and has for 
decades fought for the rights of working men and women.
  While a member of the California State Senate she led the fight in 
1996 to increase the State minimum wage.
  Since her election to Congress in 2000, she has cochaired the 
bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and played a key 
role in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2006.
  Last year she helped lead the effort to provide workforce training 
for ``green collar'' jobs.
  She is also a nationally recognized leader on the environment, and 
for that she became the first woman to receive the John F. Kennedy 
Profile in Courage Award in 2000.
  Congresswoman Solis has articulated a strong vision for the 
Department. She is ready to lead the Department's efforts in: training 
and job placement for unemployed workers; building career ladders for 
at-risk youth, and expanding opportunities for our military heroes 
returning from combat.
  Over 2.6 million workers have lost their jobs since this recession 
began, and the end is not yet in sight.
  America needs an active Department of Labor to help these workers 
retrain for the economy of the 21st century and find new work.
  America needs Hilda Solis to take charge of the Labor Department and 
to get to work today.
  I urge my colleagues to support her nomination.

                          ____________________