Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on Sen. Tom Harkin as new chairman of HELP Committee

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding Sen. Tom Harkin as chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee:

"I am delighted to congratulate Sen. Tom Harkin on his new role as chairman of the HELP Committee.

"Over his 10 years in the House of Representatives and a quarter of a century in the Senate, Sen. Harkin has been a tireless advocate for working Americans and families. He has been on the frontlines of the most critical issues of our times relating to employment, retirement, health care and education. I have no doubt he will carry the torch ignited by his predecessor, Sen. Edward Kennedy, and spur the committee's work forward to new heights.

"I appreciate everything that Sen. Harkin has done in support of our nation's workers and look forward to partnering with him to ensure the soundness and enforcement of federal labor policy."

# # #