Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed flags on state buildings to be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, June 9, in honor of former 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East President George Gresham, who died May 8 at age 71 following a long illness.
Hochul also ordered 14 state landmarks to be illuminated in purple Monday evening to recognize Gresham’s legacy as a labor leader and advocate for social justice.
Hochul honors longtime 1199SEIU president
Gresham rose from working in a hospital to become one of the state’s most influential labor leaders, serving as president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and advocating for health care workers, working families and communities of color.
“From his start as a hospital worker to leading 1199SEIU, George Gresham was a legendary labor leader who never stopped fighting for working people, communities of color, and the dignity every New Yorker deserves,” Hochul said in a statement.
She added that Gresham’s work helped shape New York’s labor movement and strengthen protections for health care workers statewide.
State landmarks to be lit purple
The following state landmarks will be illuminated purple on June 9:
Flags will remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 9.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Why are flags at half-staff in NY today? What to know
Reporting by New York Connect Team, USA Today Network / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By New York Connect Team, USA Today Network | USA TODAY Network
