LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Reverend Arthur Mastrolia upon the
occasion of being named Grand Marshal of the 2009 Rockland County Colum-
bus Day Parade

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Reverend Arthur Mastrolia upon the occasion of being named Grand Marshal
of the 2009 Rockland County Columbus Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Arthur Mastrolia will be honored by the Rockland
County Columbus Association at its annual Gala Columbus Day Celebration
on September 12, 2009, at the Italian American Social Club in West
Haverstraw, New York; and
WHEREAS, The son of Arthur Mastrolia and Dolores Lignore, Reverend
Arthur Mastrolia was born in the Bronx and attended St. Philip Neri
Parish elementary school and the seminary high school for the Archdioc-
ese of New York, Cathedral Prep in Manhattan; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Fordham University with a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Philosophy and completing the college seminary program,
the St. John Neumann Residence, in 1983, Reverend Arthur Mastrolia went
on to prepare for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American
College in Rome; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Arthur Mastrolia graduated from the Pontifical
Gregorian University with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology; he subse-
quently earned a doctoral degree in Theology from the Pontifical Inter-
national Marian Research Institute at the University of Dayton in 2001;
and
WHEREAS, In 1987, Reverend Arthur Mastrolia was ordained to the
priesthood by John Cardinal O'Connor in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New
York City; since that time, he has served as Parochial Vicar at the
Church of St. Clare in Staten Island, Spiritual Director and Headmaster
of Cathedral Preparatory Seminary and Pastor of the Church of St. Paul
in Congers, New York; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich
history of the Italian people and to proudly memorialize the many
contributions of Italian-Americans throughout the history of our State
and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Proud of his Italian heritage, Reverend Arthur Mastrolia is a
fitting choice for Grand Marshal of the 2009 Rockland County Columbus
Day Parade; he truly embodies the spirit and the cherished ideals and
values of this great State and Nation and his purposeful deeds and civic
contributions have eminently qualified him as an American of good will;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Reverend Arthur Mastrolia upon the occasion of being named Grand
Marshal of the 2009 Rockland County Columbus Day Parade, and to wish him
continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Reverend Arthur Mastrolia.