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“SUPPORT FOR NOMINATION OF ALEXIS HERMAN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1076 on March 18, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORT FOR NOMINATION OF ALEXIS HERMAN
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Michigan [Ms. Kilpatrick] is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, as most Americans know, March is the month for women. It is Women's History Month in the United States.
I first want to commend the five women in Aberdeen last week who came forward and recanted their stories that they had been raped by their drill sergeants. I think that was an outstanding tribute to women, and I think their courage for coming forth and telling the truth must be congratulated.
Today the Senate started their hearings for a fine African-American woman, Alexis Herman, to become the next Secretary of our Labor Department. We are almost in the second quarter of 1997. Nearly 3 months have passed and we do not have yet the President's nominee for the Department of Labor. I commend the Senate for beginning the hearings for Ms. Alexis Herman.
Ms. Herman, like me, is an African-American woman. Ms. Herman is a lover of education and is well documented and degreed like myself.
Ms. Herman is a civil rights activist for men and women, black and white in this country, and her record speaks for itself.
With all that said, that is not why I believe Alexis Herman ought to be confirmed. She is qualified. She is dedicated, and she will provide for this U.S. Labor Department what we need, which is a strong fighter for jobs, one who will make opportunities available for our young people, one who will give her best to see that our Labor Department reaches its goal of full employment in America.
I strongly support Ms. Herman. Her record of advancing programs for young people, for going that extra mile to develop creative, innovative work experiences for young and old, black and white, is to be commended.
Alexis Herman will make a fine Labor Secretary. Her hard work up to this time has proven that she is one who will take risks. She will speak out. She will look out for our young people and take care of our labor movement.
I urge my colleagues, all of us, to work together, to speak out, to see that this most important department in our government, the Labor Department, confirms this fine woman. What better tribute could we give to women in this country than to confirm Alexis Herman as our new Secretary of Labor?
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