For Immediate Release:

Friday, December 19, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, issued the following statement after President-elect Obama nominated Rep. Hilda Solis to be the next Labor Secretary. As Chairman of the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, Senator Murray is at the forefront of Congressional efforts to protect America’s workforce.

“I am so pleased that President-elect Obama has chosen a champion of working families to lead the Department of Labor through the difficult economic times ahead. After eight years of labor policies that eroded worker’s rights and protections, we need a true workers' advocate more than ever before. 

”I look forward to collaborating with Rep. Solis to strengthen the enforcement of worker protections, build a green collar workforce, and ensure that our workers have a prominent voice in our nation’s economic recovery. 

“I will also be focused on working with Rep. Solis to ensure that our workers have the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century global economy.”