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Solis (Hilda) Papers
0053
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Table of contents
Title: Hilda Solis Papers
Creator:
Solis, Hilda L., 1957-
Identifier/Call Number: 0053
Contributing Institution:
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special Collections and
Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
35.55 Linear Feet
(46 boxes, 1 flat file drawer, 3 framed items)
Date (inclusive): circa 1996-2014
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.
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.
Advance notice required for access.
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or
reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], Hilda Solis Papers, Collection no. 0053, Special Collections
and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Legislators--United States.
San Gabriel River Valley (Calif.)