passion to make a difference in my community and the attitude to never settle for less. And these are the values I take with me every- day to the Labor Department.” Solis graduated from California State Polytechnic University,
Following their example, Solis has also become a fighter — for immigrants, workers, minorities and women. “I’ve always been about seeking social justice and combating discrimination and racism,” she said. “I always wanted to stand up and fight for the underdog.” Now, in her new post at the DOL she can use her expe- rience to fight for workers rights and to help increase job opportuni- ties in the US during a major economic crisis.
The mission of the DOL is to foster and promote the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportuni- ties for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers’ rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support.
Solis recognizes that aspects of the mission will be even more
difficult now. “Today, we are facing the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Our national unemployment rate is 9.4 percent. Over 6 million people are unemployed. And for underrepresented communities, the national unemployment rate is even higher than that. The rate for Latinos is 11.3 percent and for African Americans it is 15 percent. For youth, it's almost a whop- ping 22 percent...We must face these economic challenges with the same can-do spirit that has characterized us in the past. I have great faith we can overcome this challenge. The fact that I am here as the Labor Secretary is a testament that anything is possible in this great country.” President Obama nominated Hilda Solis because he was very impressed with her background and her qualifications. Her broad and distinguished experience in labor and government, her values, and her record of fighting for workers rights make her very well suit- ed to the job.
As she told the graduates, “Like many of you I have traveled
an unexpected journey to get where I am today. My path could not have been forged without my family's support, a good education, the
S A L U D O S H I S P A N O S
Pomona, and earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. A former federal employee, she worked in the Carter White House Office of Hispanic Affairs and was later appointed as a management analyst with the Office of Management and Budget in the Civil Rights Division. On her return to California, she was hired to run a state pro- gram that helped poor students in the San Gabriel Valley go to col- lege. At the age of 28, Solis was first elected to public office in 1985 as a member of the Rio Hondo Community College Board of Trustees. She served in the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1994, and in 1994 made history by becoming the first Latina elected to the California State Senate. As the chairwoman of the California Senate Industrial Relations Committee, she led the bat- tle to increase the state's minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.75 an hour in 1996. She also authored a record seventeen state laws aimed at combating domestic violence. In the Congress, Solis’ priorities included expanding access to affordable health care, protecting the environment, and improving the lives of working families. A recognized leader on clean energy jobs, she authored the Green Jobs Act which provided funding for “green” collar job training for veterans, displaced workers, at risk youth, and individuals in families under 200 percent of the federal poverty line.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104