Hilda Solis



Hilda L. Solis, a Democrat, is the U.S. Secretary of Labor since February 2009. Previously, she was a U.S. Representative for the 32nd Congressional district of California 2001 to 2009.

Iraq War
Solis voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Biography
Solis was born October 20, 1957 in Los Angeles, California. She was educated at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and the University of Southern California, and served in the White House Office of Hispanic Affairs, as an analyst with the Office of Management and Budget, and as a member of the California State Assembly and the California State Senate before entering the House. In 2000, she became the first woman and the first Latino to be awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library.

Solis was first elected to the House in 2000.

2006 elections
In 2006, Libertarian Leland Faegre announced his intention to challenge Solis in her November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Solis retained her seat.

2009 appointment
In 2009, Rep. Solis was appointed by President Obama to be Secretary of Labor.

Money in politics
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Committees

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
 * House Committee on Natural Resources
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
 * Subcommittee on Water & Power

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Energy and Commerce
 * Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
 * Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials - Ranking Minority Member

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
 * Democratic Chair, Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues
 * Chair, Health Task Force, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
 * Democratic Women's Working Group
 * Progressive Caucus

Boards and other affiliations

 * Board of Trustees, Rio Hondo Community College, 1985-1991
 * Comision Feminil de Los Angeles
 * El Monte Business and Professional Women's Organization
 * El Monte Chamber of Commerce
 * Los Angeles County Commission on Insurance

Articles and resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Tiger Beat: Music, Culture, and Politics