Statement of Mary Kay Henry, Service Employees International Union International President, regarding the death of SEIU Local 400 President Carnell Sonny" Reed."

It saddens me deeply to have to report that Carnell "Sonny" Reed, president of SEIU Local 400, died this morning (Thursday, December 4, 2014). He was 77 years old.

"Sonny, who came to Washington, D.C., from Louisiana as a young man, was a longtime member of the local. He had been active in the American labor movement much of his adult life; beginning as an organizer with the Firemen and Oilers. Sonnyhad been an employee of the Prince George's County Public School - where he worked as a building supervisor.

"He was a member of the executive board of the Washington Metropolitan Labor Council and involved in both county and statewide politics. At the request of former SEIU President John Sweeney, Sonny served on the International's Committee on the Future.

"Active within his Masonic lodge, he was member of the Ebenezer AME Church at Fort Washington, Md., where he sang with the chancel choir. He is survived by three daughters."