U.S. President Barack Obama (L) nominates Thomas Perez, the federal assistant attorney general for civil rights, as the new Labor Secretary during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, March 18, 2013. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first Hispanic chosen for Obama's second-term cabinet, succeeding Hilda Solis, who stepped down in January. [Photo/Xinhua]