LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day
Parade on March 13, 2011, and honoring Joseph Ronald Heppes 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 greatly
diverse 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, The Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade is a celebration of
Orange County's, the Mid-Hudson region'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
Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade, organized by the Mid-Hudson St.
Patrick's Parade Committee, to be held in Goshen, New York, on Sunday,
March 13, 2011; and
WHEREAS, 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 35 years old this
year, is expected to draw 25,000 plus spectators; and
WHEREAS, An Irish Day on March 6, 2011, 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, This Legislative Body is also pleased to honor Joseph Ronald
Heppes upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the 2011
Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Ronald Heppes, affectionately known as Ron, was born
and raised in the Bronx; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation from high school and the outbreak of the
Korean War, Ron Heppes enlisted in the United States Navy where he
served four years; he then attended the New York Institute of Technology
for one year and then became a member of the New York State Police in
1955; he retired in 1978 as an Investigator for the Bureau of Criminal
Investigation; and
WHEREAS, Upon retirement, Ron Heppes worked as an Investigator for the
Orange County Legal Aid Society for a short time before being hired as
the Career Criminal Unit Coordinator for the Orange County DA's Office;
he held that position until his retirement in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Ron Heppes is a charter member of The Ancient Order of Hiber-
nians (AOH) Division 4 which was formed in October of 1993, in Middle-
town, New York; he has served in many offices for Division 4 including
President, Vice President, Treasurer and Marshal; and
WHEREAS, Ron Heppes is a former alderman and city council member for
the City of Middletown, New York; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Ron Heppes has been actively involved in
many organizations in Orange County including Board of
Directors/Treasurer and Coach of Middletown Little League, Coach for Mt.
Carmel CYO Basketball, Board member for Orange County CYO Athletic
Committee, John S. Burke Catholic High School Parents Organization and
Booster Club, Middletown High School Football Booster Club, Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel Parent's Guild, Catechist in the Mt. Carmel Religious Educa-
tion Program, and Middletown Lions Club; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Kay, and their five
sons and 12 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 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on March
13, 2011, and to honor Joseph Ronald Heppes upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2011 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 Joseph
Ronald Heppes, Grand Marshal of the 2011 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day
Parade.