Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on president's signing of HIRE Act

WASHINGTON, March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on President Obama's signing of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act:

"Yesterday, President Obama signed legislation that will help create jobs for the millions of Americans hit hardest by the recession. This bill will help employers hire and retain new workers.  It also will help state and local governments pay for green renovation and renewable energy construction projects.  

"On behalf of America's workers, I want to thank the bipartisan majority in Congress and the president for crafting a jobs plan that makes it easier for American businesses to create jobs.

"This is an important first step, but we know we must continue to look for ways to create jobs. The Obama Administration has, for example, proposed expanding on-the-job training programs to jumpstart employment and a continuation of the successful summer jobs employment initiative that put hundreds of thousands of at-risk youth to work last year.  We also have called for an expansion of training opportunities to ensure that all workers have access to jobs in growing industries such as renewable energy.

"I hope the bipartisan majority that worked together to pass the jobs package signed into law by the president will continue to look for ways to create jobs for American workers."

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SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor