LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Glen Cove Ancient Order of Hiberni-
ans upon the occasion of sponsoring the 21st Annual Glen Cove Saint
Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 22, 2009

WHEREAS, Saint Patrick's Day is a time for people of all nationalities
and generations to assemble and celebrate the rich culture and heritage
of the Irish people throughout these United States; and
WHEREAS, A Saint Patrick's Day parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland, and highlights the many
contributions and historical accomplishments of the Irish community in
this diverse land; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the Glen Cove
Ancient Order of Hibernians upon the occasion of sponsoring the 21st
Annual Glen Cove Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday, March 22, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, Robert P. Lynch is the Grand Marshal of the 21st Annual Glen
Cove Saint Patrick's Day Parade; he will lead a parade that has grown to
be the largest annual parade in Glen Cove and a civic celebration that
is eagerly awaited each spring by all residents of the North Shore and
the entire Irish community of Long Island; and
WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is not, as many believe, a celebration of
the Patron Saint of Ireland's birth, but of his death; and
WHEREAS, It was Pope Celestine I who named him Patricus, and sent him
to Ireland where he tangled with the Druids over religious beliefs, and
where his efforts to convert the Irish to the Catholic faith were untir-
ing, as seen today in the significant observance of God in Irish life;
and
WHEREAS, In every walk of life, in the arts, in the sciences, in the
political world, in every manifestation of the human spirit, the Irish
people have excelled; and
WHEREAS, No nation on earth has sent to the shores of America a people
more spiritual than the Irish; throughout the ages, they have left their
cares forgotten among the lilies; from the mode and texture of that
endowment, the cathedrals and colleges of our nation were built, a
heritage largely formed, our American character greatly forged; and
WHEREAS, Each year as we honor St. Patrick, whose life mirrored a
deep and abiding example of the challenges of sainthood, we are mindful
of the history of the Irish people and their struggle against
oppression, religious intolerance and political, social and economic
barriers; and
WHEREAS, The St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrates the spirit, purity
and strength of the Irish Culture and its fine traditions; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Glen Cove Ancient Order of Hibernians upon the occasion of
sponsoring the 21st Annual Glen Cove Saint Patrick's Day Parade on
Sunday, March 22, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Glen Cove Ancient Order of Hibernians and Robert P.
Lynch.