LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Brooklyn, New York, activ-
ist Jon Kest, 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 endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Jon Kest, a founder of the Working Families Party and a long-
time community advocate in New York, who organized the recent strike by
the city's fast-food workers, among many other initiatives, died on
Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at the age of 57; and
WHEREAS, Jonathan Lee Kest was born on June 17, 1955, in Mount Vernon
and raised in White Plains; after studying at Oberlin College, he earned
his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, About a decade ago, Mr. Kest conceived the drive to organize
home day care workers; today, 17,000 of these workers belong to the
United Federation of Teachers; and
WHEREAS, At his death, Jon Kest was the executive director of New York
Communities for Change, an organization based in Brooklyn that advocates
on behalf of poor and working-class New Yorkers on issues like wages,
housing and education; and
WHEREAS, Jon Kest distinguished himself in his profession and by his
sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his
community; and
WHEREAS, Jon Kest's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of human-
ity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charitable
and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his daughter Jessie, Jon Kest is survived by
his wife, Fran and his son, Jake, his parents, Martin and Ruth Kest and
his siblings Steven and Amy; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Jon Kest 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 Brooklyn, New York, activist Jon Kest, distinguished
citizen and devoted member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Jon Kest.