WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the August 2009 Employment Situation report issued today:

"This past August, the economy lost 216,000 jobs – fewer than what most experts expected. The overall unemployment rate is now 9.7 percent. Last month's jobs loss is an improvement from the average 700,000 jobs our economy was losing every month when this administration took office, but is still by no means acceptable.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement for Labor Day:

"On Monday, Sept. 7, we will celebrate a great American holiday – Labor Day. Over the years, it may have become a time for backyard barbecues. But the real intent behind today's holiday is honoring the contributions of American workers.

WASHINGTON – A survey of 4,387 workers in low-wage industries across the three largest U.S. cities – Chicago, Los Angeles and New York – found that the core workplace protections many Americans take for granted are failing significant numbers of workers.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy:

"Last night we lost a hero, and I lost a friend. The passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy is an indescribable loss for our nation and the world.

"In 2000, I had the great honor of being presented the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award by the senator. And, I will always remember his insights and advice during my confirmation hearing.

WASHINGTON – In response to today's Bureau of Labor Statistics report announcing the preliminary Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries of 5,071 fatal work injuries in 2008 – down from a total of 5,657 fatal work injuries reported in 2007 – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement:

"With every one of these fatalities, the lives of a worker's family members were shattered and forever changed. We can't forget that fact.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that Dr. Esther Johnson, national director of Job Corps, will be leaving her position effective today. Dr. Johnson will undertake new duties as a senior advisor in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Labor. In her stead, Lynn Intrepidi, former director of the Philadelphia Region of Job Corps will become acting director of the program.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States:

"Now that Justice Sonia Sotomayor has been confirmed, I want to congratulate her for this achievement and for her grace under fire as she had her judicial record closely scrutinized over the past 10 weeks. She handled herself with poise, but with her keen intellect and impeccable record, she won over the hearts and minds of members of Congress.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States:

"Today is a proud and historic day for our nation. Congress has confirmed its third female Supreme Court Justice and its first Latina woman to the highest court in our land.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the July 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"Today's unemployment numbers continue to show the challenges of the economic problems that this administration inherited. These figures are a reminder that we still have a lot of work to do on behalf of America's workers.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara:

"I offer my condolences to the McNamara family during this difficult time.

"Robert S. McNamara was a fellow Californian and a quintessential public servant.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the June 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"Today's news is a reminder of the severity of the economic problem that this administration inherited and continues to illustrate the pressing needs of American working families.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of retired Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr., who served as a member of the U.S. Department of Labor's Job Corps Advisory Committee:

"We at the Labor Department are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic deaths of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. and his wife, Ann, who died in the June 22 Metro subway accident.

"We also want to extend our sincerest condolences to their children, David and Betsy.

LOS ANGELES – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis today participated in the "green" refurbishing and painting of a Los Angeles low-income residence with high school students and adult volunteers through LA CAUSA, a youth leadership and community development organization that is a grantee of the Labor Department's nationwide YouthBuild program. The effort was part of a kick-off for United We Serve, President Obama's summer service initiative to create meaningful change in America's communities through long-term volunteer involvement.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Stephen Tyrone Johns:

"For the past six years, Stephen Tyrone Johns put on his uniform and went to work as a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. But yesterday, while performing his duties to serve and protect, he lost his life and before doing so, saved countless others.

"Stephen Tyrone Johns is among the 5,700 American workers, good men and women, who die every year just doing their jobs.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the May 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"This past May, our economy lost 345,000 jobs, bringing the total number of jobs lost since this recession began to 6 million. The overall unemployment rate increased to 9.4 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of John F. Henning:

"Today American workers lost a tireless advocate, and I lost a dear a friend. I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of John F. 'Jack' Henning.

"For most of his life, Jack Henning was on the frontlines of the labor movement, fighting for civil rights, equality and justice for working Americans. He was a man of modest means, with a thirst for knowledge and a tremendous sense of compassion for his fellow man.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the April 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"This past April, our economy lost 539,000 jobs, bringing the total number of jobs lost since this recession began to 5.7 million. The overall unemployment rate has increased to 8.9 percent.

WASHINGTON – The following is the written statement for the record of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, who today testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions regarding green jobs skills training for workers.