LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Brian G. Andersson for special recog-
nition as Guest Speaker of the 60th Annual Norwegian Constitution Day
Parade

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster a
spirit of community and service and, simultaneously, work diligently to
preserve 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 commend
Brian G. Andersson for special recognition as Guest Speaker of the 60th
Annual Norwegian Constitution Day Parade in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New
York, to be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The theme for the 2011 Parade is "Honoring Roald Amundsen"
and will be commemorating the Anniversary of the signing of Norway's
Constitution on May 17, 1814; a number of local New York bands will be
providing music for the expected 100,000 spectators along the parade
route; and
WHEREAS, A native and resident of The Bronx in Woodlawn Heights on the
mainland of New York City, Brian G. Andersson served as the Commissioner
of New York City's Department of Records and Information Services from
2002 through 2010; he also served in the Giuliani Administration for
eight years; and
WHEREAS, Brian G. Andersson has been attending the Norwegian Parade in
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn for 30 years, and in the last several years, has
been there to represent the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, Brian G. Andersson has dramatically raised the profile of the
Department of Records and has improved public access to the vast hold-
ings of the Municipal Archives on the internet; and
WHEREAS, Brian G. Andersson regularly appears on the Emmy Award-win-
ning NYC TV program "Secrets of New York"; he has also hosted "City
Classics" and "Inside the Archives" which televise previously unseen
archival footage and photos for a national television viewing audience;
and
WHEREAS, A historian and genealogist, Brian G. Andersson's area of
specialty is 19th and 20th Century immigration, focusing on Castle
Garden and Ellis Island arrivals; he has appeared on many daytime tele-
vision programs, presenting personal documents to prominent personal-
ities including Regis Philbin, Matt Lauer, and members of "The View";
and
WHEREAS, Brian G. Andersson has traveled to Ireland with New York
Governor George Pataki to find his modern-day cousins, has proven the
Scandinavian origins of Jonas Bronck, for whom The Bronx is named, and
was also involved in the discovery of the true story of Annie Moore, the
first arrival through Ellis Island; and
WHEREAS, The official Historian of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in
The City of New York, Brian G. Andersson also serves on the Boards of
the American Scottish Foundation, German-American Steuben Parade Commit-
tee, and the Historic House Trust; in addition, he was named a Trustee
of the 2009 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sweden Day's 2009
Man of the Year, and the Bronx County Historical Society's 2009 recipi-
ent of the Beller Award; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Marianne O'Hea, and
their three children, Conor, Emma, and Anders "Luke", all of whom feel
privileged to be part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Brian G. Andersson for special recognition as Guest Speaker of
the 60th Annual Norwegian Constitution Day Parade; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Brian G. Andersson and the Norwegian-American 17th Of May
Committee of Greater New York, Inc.