Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on Congressman George Miller's retirement announcement

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement regarding Rep. George Miller's announcement to retire at the end of his 20th term in the House of Representatives:

"There have been few Members of Congress more committed to improving the lives of workers and their families than George Miller. His exemplary, incomparable service over four decades will not soon be forgotten. From health care to the environment, from education to labor rights, from job training to worker safety, George Miller has always been in the vanguard, moving our nation forward and creating more opportunity for more people.

"George Miller has been a friend to the Department of Labor. In my short time as Secretary, I have been grateful for his partnership, and I look forward to working with him this year on important issues like raising the minimum wage and continuing to improve workplace safety. The House of Representatives will miss his leadership. So will the working families around the country he has fought for all these years."