LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Carmine Ruberto upon the occasion of his
retirement after more than 50 years of distinguished service to the New
York State Department of Labor

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 1964, Carmine Ruberto has served New York Workers
through his work with labor organizations, worker protection and
enforcement, and as a lobbyist, as well as an advocate; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, Carmine Ruberto began his career as an employee of
the New York State Division of Labor Standards serving as a Field Inves-
tigator; throughout the next 13 years, he held various administrative
positions including Division Chief; and
WHEREAS, Carmine Ruberto then went to work for the Service Employees
International Union, and served as a Board member of the Worker's
Compensation Board for two years; he then returned to the Division of
Labor Standards; and
WHEREAS, Upon his return to the Division of Labor Standards, Carmine
Ruberto quickly rose through the ranks, attaining the title of Director
in 2007; since then, the department has more than doubled funds recov-
ered for workers, reaching a benchmark total of 30 million dollars in
2014; and
WHEREAS, Carmine Ruberto also served as Secretary to the Commissioner
of Labor on Wage Boards; in this capacity, he established and improved
the Minimum Wage regulations; and
WHEREAS, Carmine Ruberto was called upon to serve as the Labor Repre-
sentative for the Governor's Healthcare Advisory Committee, as well as a
member of the Excelsior Committee for Quality in Government, a precursor
to modern LEAN initiatives; and
WHEREAS, As a school board member during the 1990s, Carmine Ruberto
was instrumental in implementing a ban on schools using apparel manufac-
tured in sweatshops; in the role of Director of the Division of Labor
Standards, he expanded upon the work of the Apparel Industry Task Force
and executed task force-style enforcement sweeps in other industries
through the State; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, for more than five decades, Carmine Ruberto has
been a steadfast enforcer of New York's wage and hour laws; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as Director, Carmine Ruberto served with
loyalty, honor and distinction; he was influential in developing a
modern, agile, responsive, and proactive department, which will continue
to perform its fundamental mission, ensuring workers receive wages owed
for their work performed; and
WHEREAS, For more than 50 years, Carmine Ruberto had rendered faith-
ful, conscientious and valuable service to the New York State Department
of Labor, and was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a
unique grasp of human problems; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the New York State Department of
Labor, Carmine Ruberto earned the admiration, esteem and affection of
his colleagues; 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
citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Carmine Ruberto upon the occasion of his retirement after more

than 50 years of distinguished service to the New York State Department
of Labor, and to wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Carmine Ruberto.