WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement to mark the 2012 International Day of Persons with Disabilities:

"Today is an important opportunity to celebrate the diversity and innovation that people with disabilities bring to businesses of all sizes in all industries every day. Through their talents and skills, they are contributing to global economic growth and making the United States a stronger nation.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement highlighting the U.S. Department of Labor's ongoing efforts in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day is Dec. 1.

"On World AIDS Day, we reflect on friends and family members we have lost since the emergence of this pandemic more than 30 years ago. And while an encouraging United Nations report reveals the positive impact of international prevention and treatment programs, more than 1.7 million people died of AIDS-related illness last year.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the tragic fire in Bangladesh:

"This past Saturday, Bangladesh suffered one of the worst industrial accidents in its history. A devastating fire swept through the Tazreen Fashion garment factory, killing more than 100 and injuring many more. I join U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena in extending heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and the many families who lost their loved ones.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the Transgender Day of Remembrance, memorializing transgender Americans who have lost their lives as a result of violence:

"The Transgender Day of Remembrance will be commemorated in cities and countries around the world today, reflecting on those who have died as a result of fear, hate and transphobia.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released the following statement encouraging U.S. employers to commemorate the Veterans Day holiday Monday by making a commitment to hiring veterans:

"On Monday, America will celebrate the sacrifices of the men and women who've served their country in the armed forces. I strongly believe that the best way we can honor our veterans is to employ them.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the October 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 171,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in October, while the unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 7.9 percent. Additionally, our economy added back more than 84,000 jobs in August and September than had been initially reported.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor spokesman Carl Fillichio today issued the following statement:

"The employees at the Bureau of Labor Statistics are working hard to ensure the timely release of employment data on Friday, Nov. 2. It is our intention that Friday will be business as usual regarding the October Employment Situation report."

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the September 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 114,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September, while the unemployment rate dropped to 7.8 percent, its lowest level since January 2009. Additionally, 86,000 more Americans found jobs in July and August than had been previously reported.

WASHINGTON – Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries were released today. Findings show that the number of fatal work injuries in 2011 was slightly lower than final results from 2010. Last year, 4,609 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,690 in 2010. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement in response to the census:

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement to mark the 18th anniversary of passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act:

"This month, we mark the historic passage of VAWA by redoubling our commitment to a zero tolerance policy against this heinous crime and our efforts to help victims rebuild their lives.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement commemorating the 11th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001:

"Tomorrow, the nation will pause to remember the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. We honor them and their families by ensuring that they are never forgotten.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the August 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 96,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, while the unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement today to commemorate Labor Day on Sept. 3:

"On the first Monday of September, we honor the workers who built the world's strongest economy. This Labor Day, as the U.S. Department of Labor approaches our centennial celebration, I take extra pride in the historic efforts of today's workers to drive our recovery by learning new skills and adapting to new challenges.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' release of the Leave Module section of the 2011 American Time Use Survey:

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the July 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 163,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in July, which exceeded all forecasts and represented the country's strongest July job growth since 2006.

"The unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged at 8.3 percent, while the share of long-term unemployed fell to its lowest level since 2009. The Latino unemployment rate dropped nearly a percentage point last month to 10.3 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Lupe Ontiveros:

"Lupe Ontiveros' great talent extended far past television, stage and motion pictures. Indeed, she was a fine actress, but more than that, she was a woman of great action. And she was my friend for more than 20 years.

"Growing up in East Los Angeles in the 1970s, I never saw a family like mine on television, except portrayed as maids or farmworkers. And then Lupe came along and helped to change that.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement saluting University of California – Los Angeles professor Ra l Hinojosa Ojeda, who will be honored by the White House on July 27 as a "Connecting the Americas Champion of Change" for his work linking immigrant diasporas to their home countries. The Champions of Change program, part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative, highlights individuals whose work has strengthened communities and impacted the lives of people throughout the Americas.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the June 2012 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market added 80,000 jobs in the month of June, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.2 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the deferred action process for young people who are low enforcement priorities:

"The major change to our nation's immigration policy announced today by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will not only benefit young immigrants, who know no other country than this as their own, but our economy and our nation as a whole.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month:

"This month, Americans continue our march to a more perfect union by proudly celebrating our many victories in the fight for LGBT equality.

"We are proud to live in a country where gays and lesbians can now serve openly in the armed forces, just as we are proud that our military is led by a commander-in-chief who understands that sexual orientation has nothing to do with one's fitness to serve.