Hilda Solis Papers, circa 1996-2014

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Summary

Creators:
Solis, Hilda L., 1957-
Abstract:
Hilda Solis was a United States Congresswoman representing the 31st and 32nd districts in California between 2001 and 2009. The collection includes correspondence, news clippings, voting information, awards, photographs, and other materials related to Solis' tenure in Congress. There are also some materials related to her role as President Barack Obama's nominee for United States Labor Secretary.
Extent:
35.55 Linear Feet (46 boxes, 1 flat file drawer, 3 framed items)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Hilda Solis Papers, Collection no. 0053, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection documents Hilda Solis' tenure as a representative from California in the United States Congress and her role as President Obama's nominee for United States Labor Secretary. There is also correspondence; press releases; news clippings; awards, plaques, and certificates from various groups; and assorted realia.

The legislative records include issues of the Legislative Activity Guide, documenting Solis' voting record; issues of the Congressional Record, with text of Solis' floor speeches; and the text of several bills co-sponsored by Solis. The collection also contains mailers sent to constituents by Solis' office and handouts with information on bills and issues.

Biographical / historical:

Hilda Solis is a politician who represented California in the 31st and 32nd districts in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009. She later served as President Barack Obama's first Secretary of Labor.

Solis was born on October 20, 1957 in Los Angeles, California. Her father, Raul, was from Mexico while her mother, Juana, was from Nicaragua. Solis, the third of seven children, grew up in La Puente, California and attended La Puente High School. In 1979, she earned a bachelor's degree in political science from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Two years later, she earned a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

After earning her bachelor's degree, Solis worked in the White House Office of Hispanic Affairs in Washington D.C. during President Jimmy Carter's administration. She later worked briefly in the civil rights division of the Office of Management and Budget before returning to California in 1982.

In 1985, Solis was elected to the Board of Trustees for Rio Hondo College in Whittier. She served on the board until 1991, when she ran for California State Assembly. Solis served in the State Assembly from 1992 to 1994, representing the 57th district, and then won the 24th district seat in the California State Senate.

In 2000, Solis defeated incumbent congressman Matthew Martinez in the primary and then ran unopposed in the general election to win the 31st Congressional District seat in the United States House of Representatives. While in Congress, Solis served on several committees, including the Education and Workforce Committee and the Resources Committee. In 2003, she became the first Latina to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

In December of 2008, President Obama nominated Solis to serve as United States Secretary of Labor. The United States Senate confirmed the nomination in February of 2009 and Solis served in that position until 2013.

In 2014, Solis returned to Cal Poly Pomona as a scholar-in-residence. Later that year, she was elected to represent the first district on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She continues to serve on the board in 2018.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona by Hilda Solis' El Monte, CA Congressional District office in several installments between 2009 and 2014.
Processing information:

The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

The collection was initially processed and cataloged by Special Collections staff in 2013. The collection underwent further processing and the finding aid was revised in 2018 by Rob Strauss, Emily Chavarria, Elainna-Marie Herrera, and Alex Dan to enhance findability and access. The collection number was changed from SC2010.1 to 0053 and the collection title changed from Hilda Solis Congressional Collection to Hilda Solis Papers.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series: Series 1. Legislative and Labor Secretary-Designee Files; Series 2. Constituent Materials; Series 3. Clippings; Series 4. Correspondence and Memoranda; Series 5. Graphic Materials; Series 6. Audiovisual Materials; Series 7. Awards, Certificates, and Realia.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access. Certain subcommittee files are restricted for 30 years from their date of creation per House Rule VII.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Hilda Solis Papers, Collection no. 0053, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Location of this collection:
3801 West Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768, US
Contact:
(909) 869-3775
speccollections@cpp.edu
Website