LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Camden Saint Patrick's Day
Parade on March 24, 2012, and honoring Mr. Richard Keville upon the
occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the Parade

WHEREAS, Saint 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 Saint 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 Camden Saint Patrick's Day Parade is a celebration of
Oneida County'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
Camden Saint Patrick's Day Parade, organized by the Camden Saint
Patrick's Parade Committee, to be held in Camden, New York, on Saturday,
March 24, 2012; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is also pleased to honor Mr. Richard
Keville upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the
2012 Camden Saint Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of his community, Mr. Richard
Keville dedicated many years of distinguished service as Superintendent
of the Camden Schools before retiring in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Of proud Irish heritage, Mr. Richard Keville has been called
upon to contribute his time and talents to countless civic and charita-
ble endeavors and has always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Trish, and their four
children, Wesley, Katie, Matt, and Megan, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Saint Patrick's Day is not, as many believe, a celebration of
the Patron Saint of Ireland's birth but of his death; and
WHEREAS, It was Pope Celestine I who named him Patricus, and sent him
to Ireland where he tangled with the Druids over religious beliefs, and
where his efforts to convert the Irish to the Catholic faith were untir-
ing, as seen today in the significant observance of God in Irish life;
and
WHEREAS, In every walk of life, in the arts, in the sciences, in the
political world and in every manifestation of the human spirit, the
Irish people have excelled; and
WHEREAS, No nation on earth has sent to the shores of America a people
more spiritual than the Irish; throughout the ages, they have left their
cares forgotten among the lilies; from the mode and texture of that
endowment, the cathedrals and colleges of our nation were built, a
heritage largely formed, our American character greatly forged; and
WHEREAS, Each year as we honor Saint Patrick, whose life mirrored a
deep and abiding example of the challenges of sainthood, we are mindful
of the history of the Irish people and their struggle against
oppression, religious intolerance and political, social and economic
barriers; and
WHEREAS, The Annual Camden Saint Patrick's Day Parade truly celebrates
the spirit, purity and strength of Irish culture and its fine tradi-
tions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Camden Saint Patrick's Day Parade on March 24, 2012, and
honor Mr. Richard Keville upon the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the Parade; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Camden Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee, and Mr.
Richard Keville.