Statement of Senator Boxer on the Confirmation of Congresswoman Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today spoke on the Senate floor on the confirmation of Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) as Secretary of Labor.

Excerpts from her floor speech follow:

“What we have seen in the past eight years or so, and especially the past few years, we have seen a real decline in the quality of life of our working families.

“Their voices just haven't been heard enough and that creates an imbalance in our lives. …I think that President Obama understands this, and he has given us a voice for working men and women in selecting Congresswoman Hilda Solis to be the Secretary of Labor.

“I want to say to my friends who may not know Hilda as I know her -- she's from my state and she is an ally and a friend. She knows how to reach out to people who don't agree with her.

***

“Throughout her entire career, Congresswoman Solis has been a forceful advocate for working men and women in California and throughout the nation.

***

“I am confident that Hilda Solis will turn the many challenges we face into many opportunities for the American people. As Secretary, she will continue to promote policies that will invigorate our economy, protect our jobs, and retrain our work force.

She will work for a sustainable energy future, which is going to mean lots of jobs and new technologies. She will ensure safe working conditions. She will enforce fairly the wage and hour laws we have on the books… She will protect against worker discrimination. She will strengthen the middle class.

***

“I think as members of the Senate from both sides of the aisle get to know Hilda, they will soon trust Hilda. They will know that they can talk to her about any subject, that she will listen. She will understand their point of view.

“So if anyone needed a personal recommendation for Hilda Solis today, I hope they'll trust me, because you know me and I don’t stand up for every nominee. But I am so proud to stand up for this one, and I urge each and every one of my colleagues -- Republican, Democratic, Independent -- to please support her confirmation.”

# # #