Bill Text: NY J01196 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulating Richard Lipsitz upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of distinguished service as President of the Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-08 - ADOPTED [J01196 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01196-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1196

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        CONGRATULATING  Richard  Lipsitz upon the occasion
        of his retirement after many years of  distinguished
        service  as  President  of the Western New York Area
        Labor Federation, AFL-CIO

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to  recognize  and
honor  those  distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the  best  interests  of  their
community and the needs of its residents; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
congratulate  Richard  Lipsitz upon the occasion of his retirement after
many years of distinguished service as President of the Western New York
Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body   seeks   to   acknowledge   those
individuals  whose  professional  lives  and  civic  endeavors  serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York;  Richard  Lipsitz  is  one
such individual; and

  WHEREAS,  Raised  in  Buffalo,  New York, Richard Lipsitz has been a
longstanding advocate for labor, social, and human  rights  issues  over
the past four decades; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  his  illustrious  career,  Richard Lipsitz has
worked for  the  International  Brotherhood  of  Teamsters  and  Service
Employees  International Union, spending most of his time bargaining and
servicing labor agreements; he was also  the  Director  of  the  Buffalo
Labor Studies Program for the WNY Region of the Cornell ILR; and

  WHEREAS,  With  great tenacity, Richard Lipsitz has worked to bridge
the gap between the labor movement and local communities to bring  about
effectual  changes  in  the  way workers are treated on their job and to
assure the community is aware of the power that is built  when  the  two
are joined together; and

  WHEREAS,  Richard  Lipsitz  has  been  instrumental in strengthening
relations within the community  to  reach  out  to  laypersons  and  the
religious  community  alike, immersing himself in the forefront to fight
for those who have been affected by unfair work practices such  as  wage
theft, unsafe work conditions, and pay wage disparity; and

  WHEREAS,  Richard  Lipsitz,  currently  serves  as  President of the
Western New York Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO,  a  volunteer  position
which  oversees the entire Western New York area, including five central
labor   councils   over    six    counties:    Erie,    Niagara/Orleans,
Cattaraugus/Alleghany, and Chautauqua; and

  WHEREAS,  As  a  volunteer  since  2011,  Richard Lipsitz has worked
tirelessly  to  usher  the  local  labor  movement  into  a  progressive
movement,  making  a difference in the lives of all people, all workers,
and all families; and


  WHEREAS,  Furthermore,  Richard Lipsitz has placed great emphasis on
the fight against bigotry, racism and those  with  agendas  marred  with
white supremacy; the program of the WNYALF reflects this direction; and

  WHEREAS,  Richard  Lipsitz  was  privileged  to  speak  at  the 50th
Anniversary Commemoration of the March on  Washington  at  MLK  Park  in
August  of  2013;  he  was an awards recipient of the Coalition of Black
Trade Unionist Labor Leader Award in 2014, and was also a speaker at the
Concerned Clergy Coalition rally against the  Grand  Jury  decisions  in
Staten Island and Ferguson, Missouri in December of 2014; and

  WHEREAS,  In  his capacity as President of the Western New York Area
Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Richard Lipsitz served  with  loyalty,  honor
and  distinction;  in his official acts, he was governed by a keen sense
of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problem,  earning  the
admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; and

  WHEREAS,  With  him  throughout have been his wife of 42 years, Liz,
and his two daughters, as well as two granddaughters, all of  whom  feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the custom of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the  maintenance  of  high  standards  in  their
profession,  certainly  have  earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
congratulate  Richard  Lipsitz upon the occasion of his retirement after
many years of distinguished service as President of the Western New York
Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Richard Lipsitz.