Senate Resolution No. 1959

BY: Senator GAUGHRAN

CONGRATULATING Roger Clayman upon the occasion of
his retirement Executive Director of the Long Island
Federation of Labor after many years of
distinguished service

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Roger Clayman upon the occasion of his retirement Executive
Director of the Long Island Federation of Labor after many years of
distinguished service; and

WHEREAS, Born in Columbus, Ohio, Roger Clayman received his Bachelor
of Arts degree in History from Oberlin College; and

WHEREAS, Roger Clayman has served as the Executive Director of the
Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the fourth-largest labor
council in the country, since July of 2005; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Roger Clayman, the Long Island
Federation of Labor is the leading voice for the 250,000 union women and
men and their families who reside in Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Port Jefferson, New York, Roger Clayman has
been a dedicated advocate for union members and their families
throughout his extraordinary tenure; and

WHEREAS, Roger Clayman began his illustrious career with the Long
Island Federation of Labor following a 30-year career with the National
AFL-CIO, where he worked tirelessly on organizing, political and
collective bargaining campaigns throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Roger Clayman assisted the American Federation of
Teachers in successfully campaigning to organize 600 professionals at
the University of Connecticut Health Center; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, in 1980-81, he helped organize a campaign at
Yale University which resulted in 2,600 clerical and technical employees
joining the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union; and

WHEREAS, From 1997-1998, Roger Clayman Roger was the Northeast
Regional Coordinator for the Strawberry Campaign in support of the
United Farm Workers; and

WHEREAS, Roger Clayman represented the AFL-CIO in several
high-profile newspaper strikes, including a coordinating role in the New
York Daily News Strike in 1991; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, Roger Clayman has worked closely with the
Nassau-Suffolk Building and Construction Trades Council and community
partners to establish a pre-apprenticeship program known as
Opportunities Long Island; and

WHEREAS, Roger Clayman has routinely collaborated with coalitions
supporting economic development, including downtown development projects
located in Hempstead, Huntington Station, Brentwood and Ronkonkoma; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, he has been deeply involved in supportive
efforts to bring offshore wind energy to the Long Island region; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as Executive Director, Roger Clayman served
with loyalty, honor and distinction, truly earning the admiration,
esteem and affection of his colleagues; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Lillian, and two
children, David and Rebecca, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of
his life and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Roger Clayman over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Roger Clayman upon the occasion of his retirement, and to
wish him the very best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Roger Clayman.