LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bernie O'Brien upon the occasion of his
designation as Grand Marshal of the 2010 Rockville Centre St. Patrick's
Day Parade

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who work
diligently to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Bernie O'Brien upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of
the 2010 Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March
20, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Born in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, Bernie O'Brien is the
son of Frank and Madeline O'Brien; after graduating from Hastings High
School in 1950, he attended Brockport State Teacher's College and gradu-
ated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education and
Recreation in 1954; and
WHEREAS, Bernie O'Brien proudly served as a member of the United
States Army Medical Corps from 1954-1956, and was stationed in Berlin,
Germany; upon completion of his service, he continued his education at
NYU and earned a secondary Administration degree in 1957; and
WHEREAS, He began his esteemed career at Valley Stream High School
teaching Physical Education as well as coaching the football, basketball
and baseball teams; in 1959, he was appointed Chairman of Physical
Education, School Health and Driving Education; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, Bernie O'Brien was also the Director of
Athletics and the Coordinator of Adult Recreation; in 1978, he was
appointed District Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics
for the Rockville Centre School District; one year later, he was
appointed to the position of Executive Director for Athletics for 56
high schools and 55 middle schools in Nassau County; and
WHEREAS, In this new role, Bernie O'Brien was responsible for schedul-
ing all athletic activities, assigning officials, conducting all post
season tournaments, accounting all ticket sales from post season play
and implementing all policy changes from the State Education Department;
and
WHEREAS, After a long and diverse career, Bernie O'Brien retired in
December 1992 but remained a consultant to the new Director until June
1995; and
WHEREAS, A man of great faith, Bernie O'Brien has been a parishioner
at St. Agnes for 49 years; he has served his fellow congregants as both
a lector and Eucharistic Minister; for 33 years, he has opened the Cath-
edral every day of the week, preparing it for daily masses and assisting
the priests of the parish; and
WHEREAS, Bernie O'Brien also ministers to the homebound and has
trained potential altar servers for 18 years; he is also an original
member of the St. Agnes Grammar School Board as well as a member of the
Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post 0303; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his unwavering efforts, Bernie O'Brien and
his wife, were the first couple from St. Agnes to receive the St. Agnes
Cathedral Diocesan Medal given for service to the church and presented
by the Bishop; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Bernie O'Brien was an honoree at the Parish
celebration on October 9, 2002, and the Friends of Mercy Medical Center
in March 2006; in 1983, he received a Special Service Award from the New
York State Athletics Administrators Honor Award; in 1984, he was
selected to direct the opening and closing ceremonies for the Interna-

tional Games for the Disabled at Mitchell Field; in 1985, he received
the Special Service Award from the New York State Athletics Administra-
tors Association; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, the National Interscholastic Athletics Association
gave Bernie O'Brien a Special Honor Award in 1986; and as the grand
finale of his career in athletics, he was inducted into the New York
State Public High School Athletic Association Hall-of-Fame as Athletic
Administrator on August 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Bernie O'Brien married his beloved wife, Marilyn Logan, on
August 27, 1960; today, they are the proud parents of seven children,
the late Tim (Lisa), Bob (Hollie), Kathy (the late Steve), Patrick
(Nancy), Teri (Mark), Sean (Heather), and Kevin (Erin); they are also
the loving grandparents of 25 grandchildren; 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, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal of the 2010 Rockville
Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade, Bernie O'Brien embodies the spirit and
the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State
and Nation; 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
honor Bernie O'Brien upon the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the 2010 Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bernie O'Brien.