President Obama nominates WNY native

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - President Barack Obama announced his nomination for the next Secretary of Labor late Monday morning. Thomas Perez, a western New York native, is officially the nominee.

At the press conference, President Obama said he needs to make sure he nominates a leader to ensure Americans are equipped to get good jobs and that their hard work pays off.

Perez grew up in Snyder, and graduated from Canisius High School in 1979. Afterwards he attended Brown University, then Harvard, and spent his entire career in public service. The 51 year old was Maryland’s Labor Secretary.

His brother, Dr. Jose Perez-Brache, said, "I am so happy for my brother. And it's been many years of hard work for him, but hard work pays off."

Perez is currently serving as the assistant attorney general, in charge of the civil rights division of the Justice Department. His nomination comes as President Obama launches several labor-oriented initiatives, such as overhauling immigration law and boosting minimum wage.

Thomas Perez said, "My parents taught my four siblings and me to work hard, to give back to our community, and to make sure that the ladder of opportunity was there for those coming after us."

"Using what my parents have taught us in regards, you got to give. In life, there are givers and there are takers, and Tom, he gets it. You got to be a giver in life," Jose said.

Former Congressman John LaFalce only met Perez once, but has followed his career closely. He says, given his track record, he thinks Perez is the right man for the job.

“He's committed to the rights of the individual, he's committed to the concept of equality and he's extremely bright.” LaFalce continued, “He will have tremendous responsibilities to help ensure that all Americans who want to work have the opportunity to work, but also that all Americans get a decent wage.”

Perez’s nomination makes him the first Hispanic chosen for President Obama’s second-term cabinet. If confirmed he will replace Hilda Solis, who resigned in January.

Perez comes from a family of "doers." All three of his brothers and his sister are doctors. His late father was a doctor at the V.A. Hospital in Buffalo.