Bill Text: NY J01295 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 1295 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Honoring Blue Carreker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-02-08 - ADOPTED [J01295 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01295-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 1295

BY: Senator BRESLIN

        HONORING  Blue  Carreker  upon the occasion of her
        designation  as   recipient   of   the   Jim   Perry
        Progressive  Leadership  Award  by  Capital District
        Citizen Action on September 14, 2021

  WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize  and  acknowledge  those  within  our  midst  who  have   made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

  WHEREAS,  From  time  to  time  this  Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals  it  wishes  to  recognize  for  their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and

  WHEREAS,  This  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  honor Blue
Carreker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient  of  the  Jim
Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen Action to
be  celebrated  at its 29th Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, September
14, 2021, at The Linda, WAMC's Performing Arts Studio, Albany, New York;
and

  WHEREAS, The Jim  Perry  Progressive  Leadership  Award  honors  the
legacy  of  Jim  Perry,  a  gay rights leader and founding member of the
Capital District Chapter of Citizen Action of New York;  his  leadership
role  both  in the Capital District and statewide was exemplary, and his
dedication to progressive politics and coalition building paved the  way
for the passage of Albany's Human Rights Ordinance; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with the memories of Jim Perry's actions and words
that this vital organization recognizes those who  have  demonstrated  a
commitment to community activism and leadership; and

  WHEREAS,  Blue  Carreker is being honored with this auspicious award
for her role as one of the area's most  dedicated,  inspiring  activists
and  leaders who has spent countless hours working to make her community
a stronger, more just place to live; and

  WHEREAS, Blue Carreker grew up in Schenectady, then spent  about  20
years  away in other parts of the country and the world making music and
getting her politics right before returning in 1987  to  raise  her  two
sons,  Rory and Sean O'Bien, in Scotia, while working as an advocate and
communications specialist for non-profit agencies; and

  WHEREAS, Many Capital Region residents grew to know Blue Carreker in
her  years  with  Planned  Parenthood;  she  worked  for  both   Planned
Parenthoods   that   serve   this   area   for  almost  20  years,  with
responsibilities  ranging  from  Fund  Development  and  Marketing,   to
Opposition  Monitoring  and Patient Escort Training, and eventually Vice
President of Public Relations and Public Affairs; and

  WHEREAS, Blue Carreker protected patients who tried to break through
picketers to access health care; and


  WHEREAS,  She  also showed up in solidarity at lobby days and picket
lines, and formed and facilitated a range of important coalitions,  such
as the Capital Region HIV/AIDS Prevention Network; and

  WHEREAS,  In all her efforts, Blue Carreker has worked to develop an
intersectional feminist approach  to  every  campaign,  emphasizing  the
necessity  of  seeing the work through the eyes and experiences of those
most impacted, and emphasizing the long-range goals of economic,  racial
and gender justice; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2013, the Capital Region NYCLU presented Blue Carreker
with the Carol S. Knox Award  for  her  work  spearheading  the  Women's
Equality Agenda Coalition in the Capital Region; and

  WHEREAS,  Citizen  Action of New York hired Blue Carreker in 2014 to
be a Statewide Manager for Worker and Gender Justice; in the seven years
she was on staff, she continued to build and manage local and  statewide
coalition campaigns; and

  WHEREAS,  Most  notable was her work as Upstate Campaign Manager for
the New York Campaign for Paid Family Leave, when  she  helped  organize
and  engage  six  regional  coalitions;  built  a  statewide database of
supporters; and conducted an extensive survey of small  business  owners
in  the  Hudson  Valley,  helping to build the momentum necessary to win
this important benefit for all workers in New York State; and

  WHEREAS, Her subsequent work to form and lead the Albany County Paid
Sick Days Campaign was instrumental in also winning statewide  sick  day
benefits for most New York workers; and

  WHEREAS, Blue Carreker retired from Citizen Action in late 2020, but
is  doing  consulting  work for the Empire State Campaign for Childcare;
and

  WHEREAS, Rare indeed  is  the  impressive  dedication  shown  by  an
individual  for  the benefit of others which Blue Carreker has displayed
throughout her life; and

  WHEREAS, It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that  when
individuals  of  such  noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the  citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Blue Carreker upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital  District  Citizen
Action; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Blue Carreker.