LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence
Council No. 1495, Brewster, New York, upon the occasion of celebrating
its 100th Anniversary on June 12, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence Council No. 1495, Brewster, New York,
upon the occasion of celebrating its 100th Anniversary on Saturday, June
12, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The founding of the St. Lawrence Council of the Knights of
Columbus took place on June 12, 1910, in Brewster, New York; and
WHEREAS, The first meeting of Brewster Council, No. 1495, Knights of
Columbus was held on Wednesday evening, June 22, 1910, at Forester's
Hall; attendance was high and William E. Carney, District Deputy of the
25th District, which embraced this council, was present and explained
the purpose of the meeting, the general workings of the lodge, and the
duties of the members; and
WHEREAS, Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Grand
Knight, Joseph A. Toy; Deputy Grand Knight, Patrick H. Cogan; Financial
Secretary, Thomas L. Brennan; Recording Secretary, Daniel J. Ryan; Trea-
surer, William H. O'Neill; Chancellor, Peter H. Kipp; Lecturer, Samuel
Elblis; Advocate, Francis O'Brien; Warden, Anthony J. Forschner; Inside
Guard, Joseph Scolpino; Outside Guard, James Durkin; Trustees, Charles
Mergardt, Thomas F. Lynch, and Terrence Gallagher; and Chaplain Reverend
Richard J. Burns; and
WHEREAS, After the officers had been elected, District Deputy Carney,
assisted by ex-District Deputy James Cunningham and by Warden James
Guilfey, proceeded to install them; the new officers took their places
and transacted business, appointing several committees; and
WHEREAS, The dedication of the present church of St. Lawrence took
place on June 27, 1915; it was an exciting day, especially because the
pews had not been installed; however, a corps of carpenters worked
through the night and long before the organ announced the beginning of
the exercises every pew was filled to capacity; and
WHEREAS, The dedication of the new, beautiful and substantial church
of St. Lawrence O'Toole was a very special occasion for Father Thomas
Phelan, who had been responsible for the building of the church; and
WHEREAS, On June 11, 1920, Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence Council
No. 1495 held its 10th Anniversary celebration; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the early 1920s, the Council continued to evolve
and grow; the community that had made up the founders of 1910, recent
laborers from New York City's Diverting Reservoir project, railroad men
from the New York Central, and long time residents, was changing; and
WHEREAS, The dams had been completed and workers moved on, and veter-
ans from World War I had returned; through these changes there was also
vitality; the Council felt constrained without a meeting place of its
own and in 1922 purchased the Walter Brewster House; and
WHEREAS, The customary activities of the Council took place over the
1920s and 1930s some of which included: degree work, Columbus Day
affairs, dances, and fund-raising occasions; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Chaplain Father Robert
McKeon, Grand Knight Greg Miller, and Deputy Grand Knight Chris Crozier,
the Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence Council No. 1495, continue to

support the four ideals of this illustrious organization: Charity,
Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism; and
WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, the Knights of
Columbus, St. Lawrence Council No. 1495, has demonstrated the value of
fostering camaraderie in a shared vision of community service; this
mission is indicative of a noble organization which epitomizes the heart
and soul of what it means to be an American; and
WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as the Knights of
Columbus, St. Lawrence Council No. 1495, provide a model for enhancing
the quality of life in the community and, as such, merit the grateful
praise of the community of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence Council No. 1495, Brewster,
New York, upon the occasion of celebrating its 100th Anniversary on June
12, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Knights of Columbus, St. Lawrence Council No. 1495, Brewster,
New York.