LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Dona Lansing upon the occasion of
receiving the Mother Jones Award from the Hudson Valley Area Labor
Federation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the efforts of those individuals who distinguish themselves in
service to the cause of working men and women in the State of New York;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Dona
Lansing upon the occasion of receiving the Mother Jones Award from the
Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation at its Third Annual Labor Heroes
Celebration to be held on Friday, January 16, 2009, at the Meadowbrook
in New Windsor, New York; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Dona Lansing is receiving
this most prestigious award from the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation
in recognition of her unwavering commitment and significant contrib-
utions to the community as a labor activist; and
WHEREAS, Dona Lansing began her telecommunications career in 1967,
joining CWA Local 1120 in 1968; after the 7-month strike of 1972, she
was first elected to office within CWA 1120; in the years that followed,
she became very involved in many civic projects and union activities;
and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, Dona Lansing pioneered union involvement
with the Blood Bank program and is still active in it today; she was
also instrumental in establishing the Membership Assistance Program and
has chaired the CWA 1120 Elections Committee since its inception; she
presently represents CWA 1120 as a Vice President to the Hudson Valley
Area Labor Federation; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Dona Lansing became the Secretary of the Dutchess
County Central Labor Council and was elected President in 1988, a posi-
tion she held until 2007; she was one of the first women in New York
State to be elected Labor Council President, a post traditionally held
by men; and
WHEREAS, Dona Lansing's advocacy for women's issues led to her
appointment to the CWA Women's Committee, which was on the cutting edge
of women's issues in the workplace; she was selected from over 600 CLC
Presidents across the nation to serve three terms on the National
AFL-CIO Advisory Board, which laid the ground-work to create Area Labor
Federations; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her efforts of in-depth magnitude, Dona
Lansing has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades; she has
been designated the Dutchess County Woman of the Year and received a
Points of Light Award, along with many other honors; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her work with Unions, Dona Lansing is very
active in the local community as well and has served on numerous boards,
including the United Way, Eastern Occupational Safety and Health Commit-
tee, Family Partnership, PT Phone Home, Dutchess County Advisory Commit-
tee, Rebuilding Together and Christmas in April; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dona Lansing has displayed through-
out her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dona Lansing upon the occasion of receiving the Mother Jones Award
from the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dona Lansing.