LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Edward Cardinal Egan upon the occasion
of his retirement

WHEREAS, Instrumental to deliverance are those men and women of spiritu-
al commitment who accept the responsibility of moral leadership and
render the wisdom of human understanding; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Edward Cardi-
nal Egan upon the occasion of his retirement, to be celebrated on
Monday, March 9, 2009, at the 36th Annual Dinner of the New York State
American Irish Legislators Society in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Known for his commitment to all New Yorkers, Cardinal Egan is
being recognized for his dynamic tenure which leaves a solid foundation
on which to build the future of the Archdiocese of New York; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal Egan, in keeping with the Code of Canon Law, offered
his resignation as Archbishop of New York to Pope Benedict XVI on April
2, 2007, when he reached 75 years of age; his resignation became offi-
cial on February 23, 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop
Timothy Dolan as his successor; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal Egan will remain in New York as Apostolic Adminis-
trator until April 15, 2009; he is the first Archbishop of New York to
retire; and
WHEREAS, In 2007-2008, Cardinal Egan led a yearlong celebration of the
Archdiocese of New York's bicentennial, and last year welcomed Pope
Benedict on his apostolic visit to the United States; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal Egan has been a strong advocate for Catholic educa-
tion particularly in the inner city, and has spoken forcefully on the
behalf of the poor, the vulnerable, the infirmed, and the imprisoned;
and
WHEREAS, Cardinal Egan voted in the Vatican conclave that elected Pope
Benedict following the death of Pope John Paul II; he is also eligible
to participate in any future conclaves that begin prior to his 80th
birthday; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention, it
is appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that
individual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Edward Cardinal Egan upon the occasion of his retirement; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Edward Cardinal Egan.