Bill Text: MN SR34 | 2025-2026 | 94th Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution recognizing April 22, 2025, as Tom Kesti Day
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2025-04-24 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR34 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2025-SR34-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2recognizing April 22, 2025, as Tom Kesti Day.
1.3WHEREAS, Thomas Dale Kesti was a dedicated community member, carpenter, and proud member
1.4of the Carpenters Union Local 361 in Duluth. Tom's work was not merely a livelihood but a form of service
1.5grounded in solidarity and brotherhood. He championed workers' rights and dignity through his longtime
1.6membership and leadership in Carpenters Local 361; and
1.7WHEREAS, Tom was a devoted husband to Sharen Kesti, a generous father to three sons, Nathan,
1.8Ryan, and Dylan, and a beloved grandpa "Gump" to seven grandchildren, River, Ezra, Ariadne, Cedar,
1.9Delany, Kamaria, and Finnigan, who brought him immeasurable joy and pride; and
1.10WHEREAS, Tom was born April 22, 1953, in Cloquet, Minnesota, and lived a life marked by
1.11craftsmanship, compassion, and community until his peaceful passing on April 9, 2025, at the age of 71;
1.12and
1.13WHEREAS, Tom graduated from Cloquet High School in 1971 and studied at the University of
1.14Minnesota Duluth before embarking on a life of adventure and love with Sharen, beginning in Duluth and
1.15continuing abroad in Liskeard, England, and across the United States; and
1.16WHEREAS, Tom found pride and purpose in his work as a master carpenter, from shipyards in
1.17Plymouth to job sites across the Upper Midwest, applying his sharp mathematical mind, boundless curiosity,
1.18and creative spirit to everything from intricate spiral staircases to the smallest of home projects; and
1.19WHEREAS, Tom contributed to iconic projects, working on the Duluth Technology Village, building
1.20props for the Disney film "Iron Will," and repairing and restoring parts of the Mercy Ships during their visit
1.21to Duluth; and
1.22WHEREAS, Tom was honored by the Duluth Police Department for his part in helping to catch a
1.23bank robber. In 2009, he volunteered with another Local 361 Union member to restore a 100-foot section
1.24of storm-damaged Lakewalk, saving the city thousands of dollars; and
1.25WHEREAS, he lived with humility, humor, integrity, and a deep sense of duty to others, always
1.26ending visits with his signature farewell: "Be good and be careful"; and
1.27NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it does
1.28hereby recognize and proclaim April 22, 2025, which would have been his 72nd birthday, as Tom Kesti
1.29Day. This day will be recognized in honor of a life well lived, a legacy of love and labor, and a man whose
1.30hands shaped more than timber; they built connection, kindness, and community.
1.31BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.32copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.33Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Tom Kesti.
1.2recognizing April 22, 2025, as Tom Kesti Day.
1.3WHEREAS, Thomas Dale Kesti was a dedicated community member, carpenter, and proud member
1.4of the Carpenters Union Local 361 in Duluth. Tom's work was not merely a livelihood but a form of service
1.5grounded in solidarity and brotherhood. He championed workers' rights and dignity through his longtime
1.6membership and leadership in Carpenters Local 361; and
1.7WHEREAS, Tom was a devoted husband to Sharen Kesti, a generous father to three sons, Nathan,
1.8Ryan, and Dylan, and a beloved grandpa "Gump" to seven grandchildren, River, Ezra, Ariadne, Cedar,
1.9Delany, Kamaria, and Finnigan, who brought him immeasurable joy and pride; and
1.10WHEREAS, Tom was born April 22, 1953, in Cloquet, Minnesota, and lived a life marked by
1.11craftsmanship, compassion, and community until his peaceful passing on April 9, 2025, at the age of 71;
1.12and
1.13WHEREAS, Tom graduated from Cloquet High School in 1971 and studied at the University of
1.14Minnesota Duluth before embarking on a life of adventure and love with Sharen, beginning in Duluth and
1.15continuing abroad in Liskeard, England, and across the United States; and
1.16WHEREAS, Tom found pride and purpose in his work as a master carpenter, from shipyards in
1.17Plymouth to job sites across the Upper Midwest, applying his sharp mathematical mind, boundless curiosity,
1.18and creative spirit to everything from intricate spiral staircases to the smallest of home projects; and
1.19WHEREAS, Tom contributed to iconic projects, working on the Duluth Technology Village, building
1.20props for the Disney film "Iron Will," and repairing and restoring parts of the Mercy Ships during their visit
1.21to Duluth; and
1.22WHEREAS, Tom was honored by the Duluth Police Department for his part in helping to catch a
1.23bank robber. In 2009, he volunteered with another Local 361 Union member to restore a 100-foot section
1.24of storm-damaged Lakewalk, saving the city thousands of dollars; and
1.25WHEREAS, he lived with humility, humor, integrity, and a deep sense of duty to others, always
1.26ending visits with his signature farewell: "Be good and be careful"; and
1.27NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it does
1.28hereby recognize and proclaim April 22, 2025, which would have been his 72nd birthday, as Tom Kesti
1.29Day. This day will be recognized in honor of a life well lived, a legacy of love and labor, and a man whose
1.30hands shaped more than timber; they built connection, kindness, and community.
1.31BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
1.32copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
1.33Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Tom Kesti.
| Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate | Erin P. MurphyChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Jennifer A. McEwenState Senator, District 8 |
