Rep. John Kline sent a letter to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis urging the Labor Department to use "all appropriate resources" in assisting workers laid off as a result of Lockheed Martin closing its Eagan facility.

About 1,000 employees work at the Eagan plant, which Lockheed says will close by 2013. Around 650 workers will be offered transfers elsewhere, and the rest will be let go as early as next year.

"Job loss of this magnitude not only threatens the economic well-being of the works currently employed at the facility, it also threatens the economic well being of the broader Eagan community and the state of Minnesota," Kline wrote.

Kline is in line to take over as chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee when Republicans control Congress next year, which means he will likely be working closely with Solis on a number of issues.

On Wednesday, DFLer Mark Dayton, awaiting a recount to learn if he's the next governor, criticized outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty for not doing more to keep the Lockheed plant from closing.

Read Kline's full letter here.