Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced fellow Marylander Thomas “Tom” Perez today before the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee during his confirmation hearing to become the next Secretary of Labor.

“Tom Perez has made his home state of Maryland proud as an aggressive champion for justice and the public good his entire career at the federal, state and local levels of government.  In his current position as Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, Tom has restored the office’s role as our nation’s moral conscience and a force against discrimination by protecting American workers from unlawful discrimination in the workplace.  As a former Judiciary Committee member I chaired Tom’s last confirmation hearing, and I am incredibly impressed by and supportive of Tom’s tireless efforts to enforce the constitutional rights of all Americans.  He took bold and decisive action to clean up the division, strengthen its enforcement efforts by negotiating a number of record settlements, and improve morale.”

“If confirmed as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor, Tom will bring to the position the depth of experience and management skills needed to continue to revive a beleaguered American work force during such a fragile time for our economy.  As a former Maryland Secretary of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation, I know that Tom will bring to the U.S. Department of Labor the needed drive and determination to empower hard-working individuals who simply want a fair shot at the American Dream.”