[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2418-S2419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NOMINATION OF REPRESENTATIVE HILDA SOLIS TO BE LABOR SECRETARY

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, Hilda Solis has a remarkable story of 
self-determination as the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants 
who has been nominated by the President to serve as our nation's 25th 
Secretary of Labor. Congresswoman Solis was the first from her family 
to graduate from college and then went on to earn a master's degree in 
public administration from the University of Southern California. In 
1992, she began her career in public service when she was elected to 
the California State Assembly and has represented California's 32nd 
District in the House of Representatives since 2000.
  These are very tough economic times for all Americans. Today, the 
Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, said that he doesn't expect our 
labor markets to improve until 2011. We will see the end of this 
recession. However, as businesses fight to get back on their

[[Page S2419]]

feet, we need to be preparing and training workers who have lost their 
jobs so they can continue to succeed in our world economy. I hope that 
Congresswoman Solis, once confirmed, will make as a top priority the 
availability of adequate worker training programs for our labor force.
  While I know that Congresswoman Solis and I have divergent views on 
many of the issues she will consider as Labor Secretary, I am proud of 
her nomination as the first Latina to be considered for the position of 
Secretary of Labor. I do believe her nomination could have been 
considered sooner if the Congresswoman had not submitted documents to 
the Committee and the House of Representatives that included errors and 
omissions, specifically regarding her position as Treasurer of a not-
for-profit lobbying firm. However, I am pleased that the nominee worked 
with the Committee to correct these errors and omissions and hope this 
spirit of cooperation continues between Congresswoman Solis and the 
Congress when she serves as a member of the new administration.

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