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.

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

"Our nation's labor market added 82,000 private sector jobs in the month of May, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 8.2 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today was honored by the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, which presented her with the Champion for the Futures of Farmworker Children Award for her commitment to improving the lives of farmworkers around the country through education and training.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the selection of Dolores Huerta for the Presidential Medal of Freedom:

"As a young girl growing up in La Puente, Calif., I was mesmerized by images of Dolores Huerta. I remember seeing in the newspaper the iconic photo of her holding up the HUELGA sign and seeing her on television, standing behind Robert F. Kennedy just seconds before he was assassinated.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the selection of Samuel Luna as a "Champion of Change":

"Today, the White House Office of Public Engagement will name Vietnam veteran Samuel Luna one of its 'Champions of Change,' a program created as a part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and different groups of people are recognized for the unique work they do serving and strengthening their communities.

WASHINGTON – Unique, handcrafted awards honoring the service and dedication of U.S. Department of Labor employees nationwide have been created by students from the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas, with the first presentation of the awards made today by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis during a ceremony at the department's headquarters in Washington.

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

"Our nation's labor market added 130,000 private sector jobs in the month of April, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent, its lowest level in three years.

"Over the last four months, we've added an average of 207,000 private sector jobs. Significantly, the labor market added 53,000 more private sector jobs in February and March than previously had been reported.

PHILADELPHIA – Today, Secretary Solis will join Mayor Nutter at Philadelphia's City Hall to announce that the administration has secured additional commitments from 95 companies and nonprofits, three cities, two federal agencies and the White House to provide 110,000 new summer jobs and other employment opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth this year as part of the Summer Jobs+ initiative for a total of nearly 300,000 opportunities.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the observance of Workers' Memorial Day:

"Tomorrow, April 28, is Workers' Memorial Day, an occasion for reflection and remembrance of the thousands of workers who needlessly have suffered fatal injuries on the job every year. We also think of those workers who have been seriously injured or sickened as a result of preventable workplace hazards.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today published in the Federal Register a proposed tribal consultation policy, creating a formal process through which the department will engage in consultation with federally recognized tribes on actions or policies that will have a significant impact on tribal nations. This policy would apply to any department action that affects federally recognized Indian tribes and requires that the department's government-to-government consultation involve both appropriate tribal and department officials.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding Equal Pay Day:

"It has been nearly half a century since the Equal Pay Act was signed to abolish wage discrimination on the basis of sex. In that time, women from all walks of life have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, patriotism, scientific and artistic vision, and great personal sacrifice – both at home and in the workplace. Still, women continue to earn less than men. As a nation, we continue to work toward the fundamental promise of equal pay for equal work.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor invites news organizations interested in participating in its press lock-ups to request credentials, which will be valid beginning on Friday, July 6, with the release of The Employment Situation report. The lock-ups facilitate the media's ability to provide the public with informed summaries and analysis of critical economic data concurrent with their release by providing pre-release access to the data reports.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the death of Mark Ayers, president of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO:

"The American trade union movement lost a great leader yesterday. And I lost a friend.

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

"Our nation's labor market added 121,000 private sector jobs in the month of March, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent.

"For 25 consecutive months, we've registered private sector job growth. Some months we are seeing tremendous job gains, while other months we are seeing more modest gains. But the trend line is clear: Our economy is growing, and our recovery is durable.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the anniversary of the birthday of C sar E. Ch vez:

WASHINGTON – In commemoration of the 101st anniversary of the deadly fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, the U.S. Department of Labor is encouraging the public to visit a special website featuring an audio tour optimized for smartphones documenting that milestone in labor's history.

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

"Our nation's labor market continued to register solid growth in the month of February. The economy added 233,000 private sector jobs last month, while the unemployment rate held steady at a three-year low of 8.3 percent.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding International Women's Day:

"Today people all over the world will celebrate International Women's Day, honoring the power, strength and contributions of all women. Together, we not only recognize the economic, political and social achievements of women, but the struggle and sacrifice it took to get here, too.

WASHINGTON Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Rep. Donald Payne:

"I want to express my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of Rep. Donald Payne. Words cannot express how saddened I was to learn of his passing.

"I had the privilege of working with Don for more than a decade. He was a mentor, a colleague and a friend.

Sec rep to cover activities in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of Millie Herrera as her regional representative in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. Herrera is based in Miami, Fla.