LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Executive Director Lillian Roberts
upon the occasion of her retirement after numerous years of distin-
guished service to District Council 37

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Executive
Director Lillian Roberts upon the occasion of her retirement after
numerous years of distinguished service to District Council 37, New York
City's largest public employee union; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts has a long, proud history as a unionist; she
grew up in the tenements of Chicago's South Side, and became a nurse's
aide; and
WHEREAS, In 1959, she joined the hospital local of American Federation
of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), becoming both a shop
steward and an officer; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts was hired as a staff representative by AFSCME
District Council 19 in Chicago; she was instrumental in organizing more
than 20,000 workers at four mental hospitals, forming five locals under
the AFSCME; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts relocated to New York City in 1965, to build
up DC 37's Hospital Division; one year later, she led the union's
campaign to organize thousands of city hospital workers; and
WHEREAS, From 1967-1981, Lillian Roberts held the position of Associ-
ate Director; she played a major role in organizing new members, and
establishing an array of benefits, including the largest union-based
adult education program in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she brought thousands of
workers in federally funded jobs into DC 37; and
WHEREAS, From 1981-1987, Lillian Roberts served as the New York State
Labor Commissioner, becoming both the first woman as well as the first
African American to hold this esteemed position; and
WHEREAS, On February 26, 2002, Lillian Roberts was elected Executive
Director of DC 37; she was re-elected several times, the last being on
January 26, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts initially focused on fighting for a fair
contract for the members of DC 37; she led the Bargaining Committee in
contract negotiations with New York City to provide raises, and safe-
guard the benefits of the union members who make the city run; and
WHEREAS, Under Lillian Roberts' leadership, DC 37 won the right to
represent 2,500 Job Training Participants, whom the union pushes the
city to hire upon completion of their training; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Lillian Roberts launched the innovative DC 37 Munic-
ipal Housing Program, which allows members and city workers preference
for 5% of units in city-sponsored lotteries for affordable homes and
apartments, down payment grants, and homebuyer training and education;
and
WHEREAS, With cooperation from AFSCME, Lillian Roberts established a
DC 37 Organizing Department to reach out to non-union workers in DC
37-related titles, and bring them the benefits of union membership; and
WHEREAS, Under Lillian Roberts' luminous leadership, DC 37 grew to a
peak membership of 125,000 public workers in New York City and the
State, 50,000 retirees, 1,000 job titles, and 55 locals; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Lillian Roberts received many awards
and accolades, including the 2007 30 Most Influential Black New Yorkers,
by the NEW YORK POST; and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the

United Negro College Fund; furthermore, she was appointed to the New
York State September 11th Workers Protection Task Force; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Lillian Roberts also accepted the Triumph Award
for Advocacy from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., as
well as the Clara Lemlich Public Service Award from Triangle Shirtwaist
Factory Fire Memorial leaders for her efforts to reform workers' compen-
sation, and improve occupational safety in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts holds a Doctor of Human Letters from the
College of New Rochelle, and received the NAACP Roy Wilkins Award, the
First Lady of Labor Award from the Episcopal Churchwomen, and the Free-
dom Fighter Award from the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts also served as Vice President of both the New
York State AFL-CIO and the NYC Central Labor Council, and held the posi-
tion of Co-Chair of the Municipal Labor Committee; and
WHEREAS, Lillian Roberts, a woman of singular distinction, whose
wisdom, guidance and unparalleled professionalism, have earned her the
admiration, esteem, and affection of her colleagues and all those she
has come in to contact with during her distinguished service to District
Council 37; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Lillian Roberts upon the occasion of her retirement after over
60 years of distinguished service to District Council 37, New York
City's largest public employee union; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lillian Roberts.