LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day
Parade on March 15, 2009, and honoring Mary Anne Garay upon the occasion
of her designation as Grand Marshal of the Parade

WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is a time to celebrate the rich heritage of
the Irish people, unlimited in their contribution to this greatly
diverse State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day Parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland and provides an opportunity for
people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride and pageantry; and
WHEREAS, The Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade is a celebration of
Orange County's, the Mid-Hudson region's, and New York State's cultural
diversity and encourages an appreciation of Irish-American heritage; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade, organized by the Mid-Hudson St.
Patrick's Day Parade Committee, to be held in Goshen, New York, on
Sunday, March 15, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee is
comprised of representatives of 10 Orange County organizations; the
parade is the largest cultural event in Orange County and is also the
biggest single-day celebration in Goshen; the parade, which will be 33
years old this year, is expected to draw 25,000 plus spectators and will
be seen by many more on local television; and
WHEREAS, An Irish Day on March 8, 2009, will be held at the American
Legion Hall, Greenwood Lake, New York, and the Grand Marshal's Breakfast
on the day of the parade has also been planned by the Parade Committee
members, who work diligently all year to make these events successful
and memorable; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is also pleased to applaud Mary Anne
Garay of Bullville, New York, upon the occasion of her designation as
Grand Marshal of the 2009 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, Mary Anne and her husband are both originally from the Bronx;
they were married in 1961, and moved to Montgomery, New York, in 1967;
five years later, they moved to Bullville, New York; and
WHEREAS, An active member of the Irish Heritage Festival committee
since its inception in 1994, the Garays were honored by this organiza-
tion in 2005 by being selected as Irish Americans of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Mary Anne Garay was involved in organizing Division 4, Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians and served as its first President, and is
about to serve as its current President; furthermore, she was elected
and served as the President of the Orange County LAOH through 1999; and
WHEREAS, A woman of singular distinction, Mary Anne Garay not only has
been a strong supporter of her Irish heritage but also of her community;
she has been active throughout her adult life in various civic and Irish
related activities within Orange County; in addition, she has faithfully
served her fire company as well as various artist groups; and
WHEREAS, Well-known and highly appreciated, Mary Anne Garay is a
valued member of Orange County and the Mid-Hudson community, and truly
merits the honor of serving as the Grand Marshal of the Mid-Hudson St.
Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, Through this heartfelt and compassionate expression, as well
as through their sustained commitment to the cultural vitality of their
Irish heritage, the Irish-American people of Orange County, the Mid-Hud-
son area and the State of New York bear witness to the deep faith and
love of humanity which is their rich tradition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on March

15, 2009, and to commend Mary Anne Garay upon the occasion of her
selection as the 2009 Grand Marshal; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, and to
Mary Anne Garay, Grand Marshal of the 2009 Parade.