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Press Release: The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda Congratulates Secretary Hilda Solis Upon her Swearing-In. March 13, 2009 For more information contact: Washington, DC – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) – a non-partisan national association of the largest Latino organizations from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as distinguished Hispanic leaders – is proud of its Champion, Hilda Solis, and congratulates her on this historic occasion. Today, Vice-President Joe Biden administered the oath of office to Hilda L. Solis at the U.S. Department of Labor headquarters. “While she was a member of Congress, Hilda Solis not only represented her District with integrity and judiciousness, she stood up for all American working families. Secretary Solis has a tradition of always ensuring that the needs of the people come first. Whether health care reform, economic empowerment, women’s rights, or environmental justice – Hilda assured her home community and her larger Latino family – that she would stand up for them. Latinos everywhere are proud of our new Secretary of Labor and we congratulate her on this historical day,” stated Dr. Gabriela Lemus, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). “Secretary Solis is an important and dynamic voice for the concerns of all America's working men and women. In these difficult economic times, President Obama could not have made a better choice to lead the agency,” stated John Trasviña, President & General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). "Hilda Solis has been at the forefront of finding innovative ways to expand job opportunities and is already working to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to obtain safe jobs with decent wages and benefits. Having a Labor Secretary who is a strong and tireless advocate for workers is an asset both to the Obama administration and to the nation," stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President. "Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is making history in our nation as the first Latina Secretary of Labor," said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales."This is a victory for all Americans as we will have a Secretary of Labor who represents all working people," stated Rosa Rosales, President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) is a nonpartisan association of national Latino organizations and distinguished leaders. Its mission calls for unity among Latinos across the country to provide the Hispanic community with greater visibility and a stronger influence in the nation’s affairs by establishing policy priorities that address and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. # # # |