Honor Stanley Hill's Legacy

Senate Resolution No. 388 BY: Senator SANDERS MOURNING the death of Stanley Hill, a pioneering African-American labor leader, devoted family man and dedicated member of his community WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication, command the respect and admiration of their community for their key contributions and service on behalf of others; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to mourn publicly those distinguished citizens who demonstrated great courage and diligence in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, With feelings of deepest regret, this Legislative Body records the passing of Stanley W. Hill of Rochdale Village, Queens, who died on Friday, January 25, 2019, at the age of 82; and WHEREAS, Stanley Weldon Hill was born to Merton and Anna (Grover) Hill on September 24, 1936, in the South Bronx, New York, and was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan; after graduating from Central Commercial High School in Manhattan, he attended Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, on an athletic scholarship and graduated in 1959; and WHEREAS, While playing basketball for the Iona College Gaels, Stanley Hill experienced racism when the governor of Mississippi ordered the players of the University of Mississippi not to play against Iona College because it had black players; the Iona College team walked off the court in protest; and WHEREAS, After college, Stanley Hill worked as a welfare caseworker for the City of New York; in 1965, he joined the picket lines of a

1999; he became the associate director of District Council 37 in 1981; he fought for labor rights, fair wages, benefits and job security for workers; and WHEREAS, On February 24, 2012, Stanley Hill was honored with the first ever "Trailblazer Award" by the athletics department at Iona College in recognition of his role in helping to bring civil liberties and social awareness to the forefront of American culture; and WHEREAS, Stanley Hill is survived by his wife, Ruby; his sons, Brett and Stanley, Jr.; and four grandchildren, Sean, Brandon, Jordan and Brett, Jr., all of whom will long cherish his memory; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Stanley Hill, a pioneering African-American labor leader; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Stanley Hill.