Senate Resolution No. 2093
BY: Senator BAILEY
MOURNING the death of George Gresham,
distinguished citizen and devoted member of his
community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, On Friday, May 8, 2026, George Gresham left his loved ones
at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, George Gresham was born in Virginia in 1955; as a child, he
moved to New York City where his mother worked in homecare and his
father later became a union truck driver; and
WHEREAS, George Gresham began his career in the housekeeping
department at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan; later, he
moved to the radiology department as a clerk after which he pursued
training through the 1199 Training Fund to become an MRI technologist;
and
WHEREAS, In 1975, George Gresham joined 1199SEIU as a rank-and-file
member and quickly advanced through the union's leadership ranks,
holding every elected position in the union's constitution, including
member delegate, organizer, vice president, executive vice president,
secretary-treasurer, and president; and
WHEREAS, As president from 2007 until his resignation in 2025,
George Gresham championed industry-leading job and benefit standards for
healthcare workers, securing higher wages, affordable health benefits,
dignified retirement, continuing education, childcare, and safe
staffing; and
WHEREAS, George Gresham positioned 1199SEIU as a major progressive
force in New York State and nationally, advocating for social justice
issues such as access to quality healthcare, living wages, racial and
immigrant justice, gender and LGBTQI+ equality, and environmental
protection; and
WHEREAS, Beyond healthcare, George Gresham served on the boards of
the NAACP, Children's Defense Fund, A. Philip Randolph Institute,
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Murphy Institute Labor Advisory
Board, Consortium for Worker Education, and Partnership for Quality
Care; he was known for building coalitions to advance progressive causes
and for his steadfast advocacy for working people and communities of
color; and
WHEREAS, George Gresham was a prominent American labor leader and
the long-serving president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East,
the Nation's largest healthcare union, representing more than 450,000
members across multiple states; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, George Gresham leaves behind a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of George Gresham, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of George Gresham.
