Kenneth Young, 84, who during his four-decades career with the AFL-CIO served as the organization’s top lobbyist and as executive assistant to the president, died July 27, 2012.
Kenneth Laurence Young was born in New York City. After Army service in the 1940s, he studied economics and politics at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1950.
He began his union career in 1951 as an organizer for the CIO. His positions included director of the legislative department and legislative representative. He helped lead lobbying efforts related to civil rights, education and poverty.