LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 36th Annual Mid-Hudson St.
Patrick's Day Parade on March 11, 2012, and honoring Bill Boss upon the
occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the Parade

WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is a time to celebrate the rich heritage of
the Irish people, unlimited in their contribution to this State and
Nation; 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 36th
Annual Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 11, 2012, and to
honor Bill Boss upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of
the Parade, to be held in Goshen, New York; and
WHEREAS, Organizers of this fine event, the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's
Parade Committee is comprised of representatives of 10 Orange County
organizations; the parade is the largest cultural event in Orange County
and is also the biggest single-day celebration in Goshen; the parade,
which will be 36 years old this year, is expected to draw 25,000 plus
spectators; and
WHEREAS, An Irish Day on March 4, 2012, will be held at the American
Legion Hall, Greenwood Lake, New York, and the Grand Marshal's Brunch on
the morning of the parade has also been planned by the Parade Committee
members, who work diligently all year to make these events successful
and memorable; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Flatbush section of the "Borough of
Churches," Bill Boss attended St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School,
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, and Manhattan College; and
WHEREAS, Bill Boss began his illustrious educational career in the
city of New York in 1974 at Holy Cross Elementary School; he has worked
in general education, special education as a Supervisor, and as a
Central Office Administrator; and
WHEREAS, After serving for 38 years, Bill Boss retired in 2007; he has
been active with the Orange County School Board Association, and has
served as Vice President of the BOCES Board since 1998; and
WHEREAS, Bill Boss was honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council
and received the NYSSBA School Board Advocate of the Year Award in 2005;
in October of 2011, he received the Everett Dyer Award from the New York
State School Board Association, which is considered the highest honor
granted to any school board member; and
WHEREAS, Active in the NY BOE Emerald Society, Bill Boss has been a
member of the Greenwood Lake Gaelic Cultural Society since 1985; he has
twice served as President and has been honored as Celt of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Bill Boss has been an integral member of Project Children,
acting as Host, Chaperone and Technical Assistant; he was twice honored
as Aide to the Grand Marshal of the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade;
and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Barbara, and their
four children and two grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, The St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrates the spirit, purity
and strength of the Irish Culture and its fine traditions; and
WHEREAS, Through this heartfelt and compassionate expression, as well
as through their sustained commitment to the cultural vitality of their
Irish heritage, the Irish-American people of Orange County, the Mid-Hud-
son area and the State of New York bear witness to the deep faith and
love of humanity which is their rich tradition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 36th Annual Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade to be
held on March 11, 2012, and to honor Bill Boss upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2012 Grand Marshal; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Parade Committee, and to Bill
Boss, Grand Marshal of the 2012 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade.