Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after Secretary Hilda Solis announced that she would be stepping down from her post at the Department of Labor:

“Secretary Hilda Solis has established an extraordinary record as an unflinching advocate for American workers, a dedicated leader for the equality of women in the workplace, a critical voice for Democrats in Congress, and a bold leader in President Obama’s administration.  

“Secretary Solis has been a pioneer and a trailblazer: the first woman to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award; the first Latina in the California State Senate; the first Latina Cabinet member in history; the highest-ranking Latina in President Obama’s Cabinet.  

“She has been a key member of the President’s economic team – working for our economic recovery, helping lead a revival of our manufacturing sector, investing in job training for our workers.  From the state legislature to the corridors of Congress, she made her mark in environmental protection and workplace safety, in retirement security and affordable health care, in stronger schools for our youth, in efforts to curb and combat domestic violence in our homes and communities.

“From start to finish, Secretary Solis has proven herself an honored colleague, a dear friend, and an invaluable partner for her fellow Democrats in Congress, in California, and across the country.  Her service has been a source of pride to all of us.  She will be missed in our nation’s capital.  We wish her well in her future endeavors.”