LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ralph Reed upon the occasion of his
designation as a Deputy Grand Marshal of the 37th Annual Queens County
St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 3, 2012

WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is a time for people of all nationalities and
generations to assemble and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of
the Irish people throughout these United States; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day Parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland, and highlights the many
contributions and historical accomplishments of the Irish community in
this diverse land; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ralph Reed
upon the occasion of being named a Deputy Grand Marshal of the 37th
Annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade, to be held on Saturday,
March 3, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Also being honored as Deputy Grand Marshals at this year's
Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade are Maureen Donachie, Mary Ellen
Murray, Richard Keane, Mark C. Edwards, Laura Sporny, Sister Agnes
White, C.S.J., Eileen McDonald, and Michael Charles Schramm, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the 37th Annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day
Parade will honor Kevin O'Brien as Grand Marshal of the parade, Thomas
Flood and Eileen Long-Chelales as Honorary Grand Marshals and Edward
Rice and Paddy McCarthy as Gaels of the Year; and
WHEREAS, All of this year's honorees are fittingly being recognized
for their service in their individual fields to the Irish and Irish-Am-
ericans throughout New York State; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed is the first born of Ralph and Eileen O'Connor
Reed's eight children; his maternal grandmother was born in Kilkenny and
his maternal grandfather was born in Kerry; he is very proud of his
Irish heritage and has visited the Emerald Isle twice over the years and
looks forward to returning again; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed attended Little Flower Grammar School and Nazareth
High School in Brooklyn and earned a bachelor's degree from John Jay
College in 1977; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed began his career with the New York City Department
of Sanitation in 1981 as a Sanitation Worker in Harlem; he has had vari-
ous assignments in the Department, including supervisory roles in
Manhattan and Brooklyn and as a Superintendent at the Fresh Kills Land-
fill; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed was a member of the Department's Emergency
Response Division and worked at Ground Zero in the weeks following the
September 11, 2001 attacks; he is currently the Borough Chief for Staten
Island, overseeing all phases of cleaning, refuse, and recycling
collection as well as snow removal; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed is, in addition, a longtime member of the Depart-
ment's Emerald and Holy Name Societies; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed was a summer resident of Breezy Point for more
than 25 years before moving there full-time in 2008; and
WHEREAS, With Ralph Reed throughout have been his wife of 28 years,
Kathleen Regan Reed, a retired New York City Police Officer, and their
daughters Alyson and Kelsey, all of whom are proud to be part of his
life and rejoice in his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Reed truly embodies the spirit and the cherished ideals
and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and nation; it is the
sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims
and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be cele-

brated 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 Ralph Reed upon the occasion of his designation as a Deputy Grand
Marshal of the 37th Annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade, to be
held on March 3, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ralph Reed.