Senate Resolution No. 2398

BY: Senator COMRIE

HONORING Kyle Bragg upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the Southern
Queens Park Association on January 17, 2020

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and

WHEREAS, Kyle Bragg has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Kyle Bragg
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the
Southern Queens Park Association to be celebrated at its 44th
Anniversary Gala on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Roy Wilkins Park Family
Center, Jamaica, New York; and

WHEREAS, Kyle Bragg has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and

WHEREAS, On July 24, 2019, Kyle Bragg took over as President of 32BJ
SEIU, one of New York City's largest and most influential unions; and

WHEREAS, Kyle Bragg grew up in the labor movement with his father
serving as an organizer and Vice President of 1199 SEIU from the 1960s
through the early 1980s; and

WHEREAS, Following in his father's footsteps, Kyle Bragg led his
first strike at just 16-years old, and was both a member and shop
steward of 1199 SEIU while studying at York College of the City
University of New York (CUNY); and

WHEREAS, A member of 32BJ for more than 35 years, Kyle Bragg led its
merger with Local 32E in 2001, bringing 9,000 Bronx and Westchester
members; furthermore, as Secretary Treasurer, he grew 32BJ's Residential
Division to 35,000 members in New York City, Westchester County, Long
Island and New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Kyle Bragg, 32BJ scored a big
victory with the 2014 residential contract where members won raises of
more than 11 percent over four years, with increased pension
contributions from employers and no givebacks; this victory set a strong
foundation for the union's 2015 contract negotiations for commercial
office cleaners; and

WHEREAS, Kyle Bragg currently serves as trustee of several 32BJ
funds and as chair of the union's social and economic justice committee;
he is a member of the executive board of the National African-American
Caucus of SEIU, and serves on the international union's first Racial
Justice Task Force; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his community of Queens, New York, Kyle
Bragg is a board member of Community Board 13; he is also a member of
the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and sits on the Board of Directors of
the Southern Queens Park Association; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he serves as a board member and mentor at Our
Brothers Guardian, a youth program in Queens, and was appointed to the
New York Charter Revision Commission, which reviews New York City's
constitution; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife and their three
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Kyle Bragg has displayed
throughout his 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 Kyle Bragg upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Southern Queens Park Association on January 17, 2020;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kyle Bragg.