Maybe Ms. Solis can help us guide the new administration in the right  
direction. Goodness knows we need a ray of hope, from this new  administration that 
led us to believe it would be all about Hope. Maybe I won't  have to apologize 
to people because I voted for Obama. Maybe.
Tom
 
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=83221.0

(  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December, 18, 2008 
CONTACT: Josh Dorner,  202.675.2384 


Obama Picks Major Green Jobs  
Advocate to Head Labor Dept. 
Sierra Club Congratulates Rep.  Hilda Solis 


Washington, D.C.—Media reports  indicate that President-Elect Barack 
Obama has chosen Representative  Hilda Solis of California to head the 
Department of Labor.  Rep.  Solis has been a preeminent advocate for 
green jobs and environmental  justice during her career in the House. 
She has a lifetime League of  Conservation Voters score of 97. 


Representative  Solis co-authored the Green Jobs Act, which later became 
part of the  Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which became 
law  December 19, 2007.  The Green Jobs Act authorized $125 million for  
workforce training programs.  The training will be targeted to  
veterans, displaced workers, at risk youth, and individuals in  families 
under 200% of the federal poverty line.  It could  benefit programs such 
as the one at the East Los Angeles Skills Center  where workers are 
trained to install solar panels. Upon the signing,  Congresswoman Solis 
stated: "The bill is a message for all workers  across our nation that 
there is a place for them in the clean energy  future." 



Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra  Club Executive Director 


"The Sierra Club is  overjoyed at the news of Hilda Solis' selection as 
Secretary of  Labor.  She has been a tireless advocate for environmental  
issues, environmental justice, worker's rights, and green jobs. We  send 
our deepest congratulations to Representative Solis.  


"Representative Solis was one of the earliest and  most vocal supporters 
of green jobs in the House of Representatives.   We can think of no 
better person to help President-Elect Obama implement his  plans for an 
economic recovery fueled by the creation of millions of new  green 
jobs.  Hilda Solis also understands that green jobs must also be  good 
jobs and has worked to make sure that the clean energy economy is one  
that lifts up all workers. 


"This latest pick underscores the  strong commitment of the 
administration to action on clean energy, global  warming, and a green 
economic recovery.  President-Elect Obama has  assembled a team of 
unprecedented strength to advise him on energy,  environmental, science, 
and climate issues.  This extraordinary team is  poised to help the 
President-Elect implement his ambitious agenda to put  America back to 
work by tackling the significant climate and energy  challenges facing 
our country. 


"One of our  other top legislative priorities is passage of the Employee 
Free  Choice Act.  We are very pleased that a strong supporter of this  
essential legislation has been tapped to head up the Deparment of  
Labor, yet another agency that has been gravely damaged during  the 
past eight years. 


"Hilda Solis  has been a strong ally of the Sierra Club and we very much 
look  forward to working with her in her new position."  


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