The resolution expresses profound sorrow over the passing of Alexis Herman, a dedicated public servant and Mobile, Alabama native, who died at the age of 77. Born in 1947 in a segregated environment, Herman was influenced by her parents' commitment to civil rights, which shaped her advocacy for racial equality. She graduated from Xavier University in 1968 and became a prominent figure in diversity management, founding a consulting firm that worked with major corporations to promote inclusivity. Her government career began in 1977, and she made history as the youngest Director of the Women's Bureau at age 29, later becoming the first Black woman to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention and the first African American Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton.

Throughout her career, Herman was a trailblazer, advocating for workplace equality and successfully mediating significant labor disputes. She played a crucial role in initiatives that led to a three-decade low in U.S. employment, minimum wage increases, and the passage of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which aimed to enhance workforce training for low-income Americans. The resolution concludes by acknowledging her legacy as a leader in business, government, and her community, emphasizing that while her presence will be missed, her contributions and the impact of her work will be remembered by the nation she served.