Hasegawa & Doi: We Commend President-Elect Obama For Appointing Solis as Labor Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2008


Washington, DC – Executive Director of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) Lisa Hasegawa and Kerry Doi, National CAPACD Board Co-Chair and CEO of the Pacific Asian Consortium on Employment (PACE) made the following statement today on the Announcement of Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor for the Obama Administration:

“National CAPACD fully commends President-elect Obama on his top choice of Congresswoman Hilda Solis to serve as the next Secretary of Labor.

“Ms. Solis has long been a champion of the rights and conditions of working Americans and has been at the forefront of fighting for equality and fairness for workers of color who have historically been without the strongest voice.  They will now have a fierce advocate and loyal friend in Ms. Solis.

“Many of National CAPACD’s members know Congresswoman Solis well and have worked tirelessly along side her in Los Angeles to bring more resources, training, and economic opportunity to immigrant workers so they have the tools necessary to achieve the American Dream for their families as well as to become proud and productive members of America’s, diverse workforce,” said Ms. Hasegawa.
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“I am extremely proud to congratulate my friend and long-time ally Congresswoman Solis on her appointment as the next Secretary of Labor.  She more than deserves this recognition of her life’s work, standing up for the rights and the just treatment of America’s workers, especially immigrant workers who have historically been the most vulnerable.  

“As the daughter of immigrants, Congresswoman Solis has a unique understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion in America’s workforce and of making sure that all of our communities’ workers have the education, training and support needed to compete and succeed in today’s global economy.  She has been a tremendous ally of PACE and we look forward to working closely with Ms. Solis in her new role to ensure that America’s immigrant workers are the strongest, and best prepared so they may meet the daunting challenges we face as a country in the coming years,” added Mr. Doi, President and CEO of PACE and National CAPACD.