Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis marking 1-year anniversary of BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the first anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill:

"This time last year, our country experienced the largest oil spill in its history. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico not only released close to 5 million barrels of oil, it also claimed the lives of 11 workers, injured many more and had a major economic impact on the region.

"From day one, the Labor Department assisted workers who were impacted by this event. I dispatched my team to work proactively with BP and other federal agencies to ensure that the cleanup was prompt and effective, but most of all – safe. We worked alongside BP to ensure that anyone who was part of the cleanup, including new hires, received adequate training and protection.

"And while we were on-site to ensure workers were safe, our team remained on the ground to work with state officials from the affected Gulf states to provide the most up-to-date information on unemployment insurance claims, as well as critical training and information for our One-Stop Career Centers in the region on job placement and opportunities.

"While there has been much work done to clean up the Gulf, there is more to do. I, along with the president and my colleagues, am committed to ensuring that the Gulf returns stronger than ever before."