LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Kimberly Lyons upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the Hudson Valley Area Labor
Federation on June 17, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the efforts of individuals who distinguish themselves in service
to the cause of working men and women in the 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 commend
Kimberly Lyons upon the occasion of her designation for special recogni-
tion by the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation at its 10th Annual Labor
Heroes Celebration to be held on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Dutchess
Manor in Beacon, New York; and
WHEREAS, Kimberly Lyons, Political and Community Organizer with the
New York State Nurses Association, is the recipient of the Hudson Valley
Area Labor Federation's 2016 Mother Jones Award; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the small town of Highland, New York,
Kimberly Lyons worked on a local farm during her high school years where
she learned the true meaning of hard labor; and
WHEREAS, Kimberly Lyons also understood the meaning of struggle, work-
ing hard, and fighting for your rights growing up in a union household;
her mother was a Certified Nursing Assistant at Vassar Brothers Medical
Center for 15 years and a member of 1199 SEIU, and her father has been a
union activist for most of his life, from the merchant marines traveling
around the world to working at Marist College where he is the Chapter
Chair of his union, Local 200 united SEIU; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Highland High School, Kimberly Lyons
began working as a secretary at Vassar Brothers Medical Center and
became a member of 1199 SEIU; she quickly held the position of Delegate
and was introduced to the grievance procedure, negotiation process and
political activism; and
WHEREAS, Leading unit meetings and activating fellow secretaries in
upcoming policy and procedure changes; 1199 SEIU offered Kimberly Lyons
a multitude of opportunities including instruction and guidance as a
Delegate as well as providing an education to national political activ-
ism; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Kimberly Lyons graduated from Ulster BOCES with a
Certificate in Surgical Technology; she preferred union work to the
operating room, and has been involved with organizing many campaigns
including St. Francis Hospital, now called Mid-Hudson Regional; and
WHEREAS, As a Political and Community Organizer with the New York
State Nurses Association, Kimberly Lyons enjoys working alongside a
group of active nurses who inform their communities about patient safety
and safe staffing; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Kimberly Lyons upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation on June 17, 2016;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kimberly Lyons.