CITY OF FRESNO
Offices of Council President Annalisa Perea, Council Vice President Mike Karbassi and Councilmember Tyler Maxwell
WHEREAS, Sam Frank, born in Los Angeles, California, graduated from Santa Cruz High in 1982. Following his graduation, Sam served in the United States Army for four years, achieving the rank of Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge. Seeking new opportunities, he re located to Fresno during a period of growth and ample employment prospects; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, he was employed by the City of Fresno as a Utility Service Representative (USR). His duties included managing water services and conducting property inspections for utilities. Recognized for his dedication, Sam received the Employee of the Quarter award three times. In 2005, after fifteen years as a USR, he was promoted to Senior Utility Service Representative. That same year, he married Josephine Fra nk, whose unwavering support has been pivotal throughout his career; and
WHEREAS, before his promotion to Senior USR, Sam found his passion serving on the Fresno City Employees Association (FCEA). Assuming various leadership roles, he championed the rights of his fellow workers. From 1997 to 1999, he served as director for FCEA, followed by a term as president from 1999 to 2002. Re-elected as president in 2018, Sam has remained committed to representing the interests of the union's employees; and
WHEREAS, during this presidency, he helped endorse many candidates who later served on the Fresno City Council and continued to work with the City’s Administration to secure contracts and get raises for the workers he represented. His goal was to always serve as a good representative and a hard negotiator; and
WHEREAS, while serving as president in 2000, he spearheaded efforts to extend benefits to the domestic partners of City of Fresno employees, recognizing the need for inclusivity at a time when same-sex marriage was not legally recognized. Drawing from his relationships within the LGBTQ+ community, Sam initiated discussions with the administration and FCEA members, ultimately achieving success in expanding benefits to include domestic partners, and
WHEREAS, upon retirement, Sam Frank intends to stay on with the Fresno City Employees Association as their business manager, dedicated to furthering the interests of the City of Fresno's workforce.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Council President Annalisa Perea, Mayor Jerry P.
Dyer, and City Council do hereby honor and recognize Sam Frank for his 34 years of service to the City of Fresno and do hereby proclaim May 2, 2024, to be:
“Sam Frank Day”
in the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, on this 2nd of May 2024.
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JERRY P. DYER, Honorable Mayor
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MIKE KARBASSI, Council Vice President District 2
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TYLER MAXWELL, Councilmember District 4
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GARRY BREDEFELD, Councilmember District 6
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ANNALISA PEREA, Council President District 1
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MIGUEL ARIAS, Councilmember District 3
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LUIS CHAVEZ, Councilmember District 5
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NELSON ESPARZA, Councilmember District 7