WASHINGTON, March 13, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) applauds President Obama's appointment of prominent civil rights lawyer, Thomas Perez, as the new Secretary of Labor. Pending Senate confirmation, Perez is set to replace outgoing Labor Secretary, Hilda Solis.

Perez is a Harvard-educated attorney whose career has been dedicated to worker and civil rights advocacy at the federal, state and local levels. He was appointed assistant attorney general at the Civil Rights Division at the U.S Department of Justice in 2009. Prior to that, he was secretary for Maryland's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Perez also served 12 years prosecuting civil cases as deputy assistant attorney general in the Clinton administration.

USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez said, "Thomas Perez's admirable civil service career protecting the rights of the American people is praiseworthy. His story as a first-generation American sheds light on the incredible contributions the children of our nation's immigrants offer to our country every day. His track record has proven that he is a tireless champion for the American worker and I am certain he will continue his outstanding service to our country as the next Secretary of Labor."

Foreign-born workers make up over 16% of the nation's civilian labor force. Immigrant entrepreneurs own 11% of all U.S firms, employing 1 out of every 10 American workers and generating over $775 billion in annual revenue.
"I am confident Thomas Perez will be a leading voice not only for our nation's workers, but also for America's immigrant entrepreneurs. He is a committed civil and labor rights champion that sees the limitless value immigration reform will bring to our economy -- that is precisely the kind of leader we need at the Department of Labor. The USHCC looks forward to working with Mr. Perez once he assumes his new role," said USHCC Chairman of the Board Marc Rodriguez.
 
About the USHCC

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Follow us on Twitter @USHCC.