WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement calling on Congress to create export-driven jobs by ratifying free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, and to pass a robust Trade Adjustment Assistance program:

"For the sake of our economic recovery, we must open new markets to American-made goods and services. These three agreements are the result of intensive negotiations that put America first. They'll ensure that we're exporting American products, not paychecks, abroad.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement to mark National Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

"This month, Americans from all walks of life lock hands to send a message that this country will not tolerate domestic violence. Every day, three women in America die at the hands of a violent abuser. We must redouble our efforts to prevent these senseless tragedies.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding National POW/MIA Recognition Day:

"Our freedom comes at a very high price. Throughout our nation's history, the brave men and women of America's military have made incredible sacrifices to defend our liberty, protect our security and uphold our democratic values. Too many of them never come home, or have been held as prisoners of war whose fate has never been resolved.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the August 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"The private sector added 17,000 jobs in August, but those gains were offset by the loss of 17,000 government jobs. Total non-farm unemployment, therefore, was unchanged last month. The unemployment rate also remained unchanged at 9.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina:

"I will never forget visiting New Orleans' Ninth Ward as a member of Congress in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath and seeing the poor families and terrified children that time forgot. Katrina was a wake-up call to this country about the plight facing our most vulnerable families and the critical role that Washington can and must play to support local communities before, during and after a major disaster.

WASHINGTON – Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show little change in the number of workplace fatalities in 2010 compared with 2009. Last year, 4,547 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,551 fatal work injuries in 2009. In response, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement:

"No worker should have to sacrifice his or her life to earn a living.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today released the following statement to commemorate Women's Equality Day:

"It has been a long journey, but each day brings America closer to the kind of true equality that our heroines like Susan B. Anthony and Alice Paul imagined for us when they led the fight for women's suffrage generations ago.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced enhancements to its online enforcement database designed to improve public access to and understanding of the department's enforcement actions. The updated website includes a number of new features, including map displays of inspection and violation data from the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its Mine Safety and Health Administration, as well as the ability to view individual inspection records and the enforcement history of a particular company or mine.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the July 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market continued to add jobs in the month of July. The private sector added 154,000 jobs, and total non-farm payrolls rose by 117,000, with a loss of 37,000 government jobs. The unemployment rate ticked down to 9.1 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the death of Richard Chavez:

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today on Employee Benefits in the United States, a component of the annual National Compensation Survey:

$70,000 in prizes available for innovative use of department data

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has launched a first-of-its-kind federal website to make it easier for software developers to incorporate Labor Department data into online and mobile applications. The site features published application program interfaces, known as APIs, and software development kits, known as SDKs, which allow developers to remotely access data collected by the department.

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration today launched from New Orleans, La., Strong Cities, Strong Communities, to be known as SC2, a customized pilot initiative to strengthen capacity and spark economic growth in local communities, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently. To accomplish these objectives, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities: Chester, Pa.; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Mich.; Fresno, Calif.; Memphis, Tenn.; and New Orleans.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the June 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market experienced slower growth in the month of June. The private sector added 57,000 jobs, but federal, state and local governments cut a combined 39,000 positions, resulting in a total gain of 18,000 non-farm payroll jobs last month. The national unemployment rate edged up to 9.2 percent.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced that Jay Williams will serve as the new director of recovery for auto communities and workers. Beginning on Aug. 8, Williams will lead the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers as it assists auto communities in identifying federal resources that may be used as part of their recovery efforts. Where resources are lacking, the office will recommend changes or new methods that can be used toward the revitalization of these communities.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the importance of Trade Adjustment Assistance:

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California:

"Congresswoman Woolsey is the rarest kind of leader in Washington. She is someone who truly understands the struggles of ordinary Americans because she has lived them. From her own humble background as a former welfare recipient to a fearless champion of the underdog in the halls of Congress, Lynn has spent her career in public service advocating for those whose voices are rarely heard.

WASHINGTON – The White House today announced the establishment of the first White House Rural Council. While rural communities face challenges, they also present economic potential. To address these challenges, build on the administration's rural economic strategy and improve the implementation of that strategy, the president signed an executive order establishing the White House Rural Council.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement on the May 2011 Employment Situation report released today:

"Our nation's labor market continued to add jobs in the month of May. Nonfarm payroll employment added 54,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate registered at 9.1 percent.

"While our rate of job growth slowed last month, we added 83,000 private sector jobs in May, and our economy continues to grow. We've now had 15 straight months of private sector job growth and added 2.1 million jobs over this period.