LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Samuelsen upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against
Hunger

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
Samuelsen upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
by the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, to be celebrated at its 2012
Planter Award Dinner on June 14, 2012, in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger (BSCAH) was established in
1998 to holistically serve the growing number of families facing hunger
and, recognizing and understanding that the fight to end hunger extends
beyond canned goods; BSCAH not only distributes food, it empowers fami-
lies, providing information and supportive services as well; and
WHEREAS, John Samuelsen has been President of the Transport Workers
Union Local No. 100 since January 1, 2010; he was born, raised and
currently resides in Brooklyn; he hired on with the New York City Trans-
it Authority in 1993 and was assigned to a Track Gang working out of the
crew room at 45th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, John Samuelsen and his fellow union members were working
under difficult and unsafe conditions; management disregarded certain
safety regulations and routinely disciplined workers who stood up
against their abuses; and
WHEREAS, John Samuelsen's co-workers voted him in as a shop steward
and he fought vigorously for their rights; as time progressed, he and
his union members were able to turn the tide which was the beginning of
his life in the union; and
WHEREAS, From 2001-2006, John Samuelsen served as Chair, Track Safety
Vice President of the Local 100's Maintenance of Way Department,
consisting of 7,100 workers providing essential services to the New York
City Transit Authority in track, line equipment, signals, power and
structure; during those years, he also served as lead negotiator for all
safety related issues in contractual bargaining between New York City
Transit Authority and TWU Local 100; and
WHEREAS, John Samuelsen was elected President of the 38,000-member
Local in December 2009 and assumed office in January 2010; since becom-
ing president, he has used these core union values to assist New York
City's working families; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Lisa and their three
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence 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
honor John Samuelsen upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Samuelsen.