(ABC News)--Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis has stepped down.
The first Latina to lead a federal agency, Solis joined the Obama
administration back in 2009 after representing California in the House
of Representatives. She said in a letter to colleagues that she was
leaving her post to "begin a new future" by returning to her roots. She
calls her departure "one of the most difficult decisions" she has made.
"Growing up in a large Mexican-American family in La Puente,
California, I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to serve
in a president's Cabinet, let alone in the service of such an incredible
leader," said Solis.
She said she was proud of her tenure at the department during a time which saw unbearably high unemployment rates.
"We have much to be proud of," she said. "In the past four years,
more than 1.7 million people have completed federally-funded job
training programs; of those, more than one million have earned
industry-recognized credentials. In addition, Labor Department
investments in our community colleges have expanded their capacity to
provide local, flexible, employer-specific job training to millions of
Americans, and transformed these institutions into engines of economic
growth.
She also touted the department's work overseeing parts of the
controversial 2009 stimulus program, unemployment insurance and mine
safety.
Her departure leaves President Obama with one less woman in his
cabinet – two cabinet his replacement picks announced over the past few
weeks have been white men.
President Obama issued a short statement praising her four years of service.
"Over her long career in public service – as an advocate for
environmental justice in California, state legislator, member of
Congress and Secretary of Labor – Hilda Solis has been a tireless
champion for working families," said Obama in a written statement issued
by the White House.
"Over the last four years, Secretary Solis has been a critical member
of my economic team as we have worked to recover from the worst
economic downturn since the Great Depression and strengthen the economy
for the middle class. Her efforts have helped train workers for the jobs
of the future, protect workers' health and safety and put millions of
Americans back to work. I am grateful to Secretary Solis for her
steadfast commitment and service not only to the Administration, but on
behalf of the American people. I wish her all the best in her future
endeavors."
Solis was the first Hispanic woman to serve in a presidential cabinet.
Copyright 2013 by ABC News
