LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Robert Brown upon the occasion of his
retirement after many years of distinguished service to Laborers' Local
No. 435

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of 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
Robert Brown upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of
distinguished service to Laborers' Local No. 435; he will officially
retire on April 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as Business Manager, Robert Brown has served
with loyalty, honor and distinction and has rendered faithful, conscien-
tious and valuable service; and
WHEREAS, Robert Brown was born in Arcadia, Florida; after high school,
he went away to college for a couple of years and was then drafted into
the United States Army where he spent two years, and was discharged with
the rank of Staff Sergeant; and
WHEREAS, In 1955, Robert Brown moved to Rochester, New York, and began
working for a construction company named Spezio Construction as a common
laborer; only four years later, he became a foreman; and
WHEREAS, After 10 years, Robert Brown became a superintendent for one
of the largest companies in Rochester; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Robert Brown became a Business Agent for Rochester
Laborers Local No. 435; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, with the help of Rochester Building and Construction
Trades Council and UNICON, Robert Brown came up with an idea to incorpo-
rate classroom participation with real-life experience of the various
trades; and
WHEREAS, Robert Brown's vision was to have students work with experi-
enced craft workers and gain genuine hands-on experience in the
construction industry while getting paid for their labors; and
WHEREAS, This visionary idea led to the founding of the Robert Brown
School of Construction and Design; and
WHEREAS, At the time of his retirement, Robert Brown was Business
Manager of Local No. 435; Trustee to the Rochester Laborers' Welfare and
Pension Funds; Executive Board Member of Laborers' Local No. 435;
Chairman of Rochester Laborers' Training Fund; Executive Committee
Member for LIUNA African American Caucus; Vice President of the Upstate
New York District Council; Member of the NYS PAC; and Member of Life
Span, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 46 years, Margaret,
their four children, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren,
all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Robert Brown was governed by a keen
sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with Laborers' Local No. 435, Robert Brown
earned the admiration, esteem and affection of his colleagues; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Robert Brown upon the occasion of his retirement after many years
of distinguished service to Laborers' Local No. 435; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Robert Brown.