WASHINGTON, DC - SEIU President Andy Stern issued the following statement on Representative Hilda Solis' nomination as U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Eight years of economic mismanagement have left America's families facing the worst economic outlook in generations. Each day brings news of more layoffs, more cuts in services and more reason to believe that the American Dream is slipping further out of reach.

"Now, more than ever, the men and women who are fortunate enough to go to work every day to earn a paycheck and keep America running need a Department of Labor that will stand up for them. Hilda Solis is the right choice for Secretary because she understands personally the challenges workers face in a global economy and the need for a bold new agenda that expands healthcare for everyone and gives American workers a greater choice and a greater voice. She will work tirelessly to help strengthen one of America's greatest assets, its labor force.

"On behalf of SEIU's 2 million members and the millions of Americans who our members serve, we urge U.S. Senate to move swiftly in a bipartisan manner so Representative Solis can begin her work to improve lives for millions of workers in America. As the daughter of two immigrant workers and proud union members, Hilda Solis is the embodiment of the American Dream. She will never back down from putting the American Dream back within the reach of America's workers."

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