LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 13th Annual Dinner Dance of
Local 372, and paying tribute to the 2015 honorees

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge organizations and individuals of worthy purpose
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in the great City
and 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 commem-
orate the 13th Annual Dinner Dance of Local 372, and to pay tribute to
the 2015 honorees; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated on
Friday, June 19, 2015, at El Caribe in Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Local 372's President Shaun D. Francois I and
Executive Vice President Donald Nesbit will be recognized for their
distinguished efforts and their continued fight to improve the working
conditions for all members of Local 372; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1941 by lunch worker Harry Gray, Local 372 is
comprised of approximately 23,000 New York City Board of Education
employees working together for the benefit of its members and the chil-
dren of New York City public schools; and
WHEREAS, Since 2002, Local 372 has raised significant funding for
scholarships to help children of members who are pursuing college
degrees; many of these children are the first in their families to
attend college; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 honorees include: Lillian Roberts, Veronica Montgom-
ery-Costa and Henry A. Garrido; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts is the former Executive Director of District
Council (DC) 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO representing 125,000 public workers in
New York City, 50,000 retirees, 1,000 titles, and 55 locals; she was
also the Vice President of the New York State AFL-CIO, Vice President of
the New York City Central Labor Council, and co-Chairperson of the
Municipal Labor Committee; and
WHEREAS, During her illustrious tenure, Lillian Roberts established
numerous successful programs including the DC 37 Education Fund, Munici-
pal Employees Legal Services, and the Affordable Housing Program; she is
the recipient of such prestigious honors as the Distinguished Leadership
Award from the United Negro College Fund, and the Triumph Award for
advocacy from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women; and
WHEREAS, Veronica Montgomery-Costa has served as President of Local
372 and DC 37, as well as the International Vice President of AFSCME
representing DC 37; her efforts were vital in implementing numerous
economic and administrative reforms in her official acts from 1999 until
2011; and
WHEREAS, A veteran of Local 372 for 34 years, Veronica Montgomery-Cos-
ta has been both a member and Chairperson on numerous important boards
including SAPIS Chapter on the Local 372 Executive Board, the New York
State Food Service Association, Nutrition Consortium of New York State,
Community Food Resource Center; and
WHEREAS, Henry A. Garrido is the current Executive Director of DC 37;
a native of the Dominican Republic, he assumed the position on December
31, 2014; prior, he served as Associate Director, and was responsible
for leading field staff and numerous important projects including a
vital white paper which exposed immense wasteful contractor spending;
and
WHEREAS, An able administrator, Henry A. Garrido helped settle a new
88-month economic agreement which preserves union rights and benefits;
he continues to strive to increase membership, strengthen ties to the

community, improve services, and encourage members to be more involved
in union activities; and
WHEREAS, The success of the City and State of New York, and of our
nation, depends on organizations such as Local 372 and its members who
have dedicated their lives to nurturing our most precious resource, our
children; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, 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
commemorate the 13th Annual Dinner Dance of Local 372, and to pay trib-
ute to the 2015 honorees; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Local 372 President Shaun D. Francois I, Executive Vice Pres-
ident Donald Nesbit, and the aforementioned honorees.