Public Employee Press

Research library named for the late Frank Burns

Family, friends, co-workers, and members of the DC 37 community, past and present, gathered in September to honor the memory of the late Frank Burns. An outstanding career at DC 37 ended in June when Burns succumbed to heart problems.

As a lasting tribute to his memory, the library of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. was officially christened the Frank Burns Research Library on Sept. 16. At the dedication ceremony, Director Dennis Sullivan welcomed everyone, including widow Kathe Burns and other members of the Burns family. Executive Director Lillian Roberts noted that Burns had “served our members with dedication and professionalism” and that his colleagues cherished his contributions to the union’s work.

Burns’ great sense of humor was a theme throughout the remarks offered by his former colleagues and friends.

“I wish we could have cloned him,” said Jean Brewer, assistant commissioner of the city Office of Labor Relations. A proclamation from the mayor called Burns “a great New Yorker, Navy Seabee and trade unionist who dedicated himself to improving the city and other peoples’ lives.”

A plaque with an etching of Burns now hangs in the library. The inscription on it reads, “In memory of our friend, union brother and colleague, whose spirit, kindheartedness, dedication, wit and integrity helped us all.”