Senate Resolution No. 3358

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Wayne Spence upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the Annual American
Labor Studies Award by the American Labor Studies
Center

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, Wayne Spence 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 Wayne Spence
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Annual American
Labor Studies Award by the American Labor Studies Center to be
celebrated on Friday, December 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS, The American Labor Studies Center (ALSC) is a
not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the teaching of
the American labor movement and its history in the nation's elementary
and secondary schools, including such areas as its history,
organizations, activities, and unions; and

WHEREAS, Born on the island of Jamaica, Wayne Spence immigrated to
the United States at the age of 10, and has called the New York City
area his home ever since; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating from The Bronx High School of Science,
Wayne Spence went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Electrical
Engineering from the New York Institute of Technology; during his time
in college, he was known as a student leader and respected for his
passionate advocacy for the student body; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Spence was re-elected as President of the Public
Employees Federation (PEF) in June of 2018, and sworn into office on
August 1, 2018, for a second three-year term; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Wayne Spence, the union
negotiated two successful contracts which included across-the-board
raises and no givebacks for the membership; and

WHEREAS, A renowned leader, Wayne Spence demands the union and the
state follow through on mandates, especially for member health and
safety and community safety issues; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious 28-year career as a parole
officer, Wayne Spence has been very active in the Public Employees
Federation; prior to being elected PEF's first African-American
President in June of 2015, he held numerous leadership positions in the
union, serving as a PEF Vice President, Shop Steward, Division Health
and Safety Chair, Executive Board Member, Long Island Political Action

Co-Chair and Assistant Council Leader of Division 236 (DOCCS/Parole);
and

WHEREAS, Wayne Spence currently serves on the executive boards of
AFT, SEIU and the New York State AFL-CIO; these commitments give him
direct access to international unions, which in turn allow PEF to
benefit in the form of immediate communication and leverage for federal
issues; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he serves on New York State Comptroller
DiNapoli's Advisory Council (NYSLRS) and on the AFT Nurses & Health
Professionals Program Policy Council; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Wayne Spence is a certified Police Firearms Instructor and
Instructor Evaluator; he is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
Inc., 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, and he sits on the First
Baptist Church of Freeport Trustee Board; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Spence 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, 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 Wayne Spence has displayed
throughout his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Wayne Spence upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Annual American Labor Studies Award by the American Labor Studies
Center; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Wayne Spence.