LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sherry and Paul Durnan upon the occasion
of their designation for special recognition by Catholic Charities on
May 22, 2012

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Sherry and Paul Durnan have given not only of their time and
energies but also of their competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently have been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Sherry and
Paul Durnan upon the occasion of their designation for special recogni-
tion by Catholic Charities, to be celebrated at its 2012 Caritas Award
Dinner on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Milleridge Inn Cottage, Jericho, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Sherry and Paul Durnan are the founders of The Durnan Group,
Inc., one of the largest privately owned Insurance agencies in New York,
specializing in workers' compensation programs; and
WHEREAS, Sherry and Paul Durnan have been called upon to contribute
their time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and
have always given of themselves unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Paul is a lifelong member of St. Agnes Cathedral Parish where
he serves as a Eucharistic Minister and a Lector; he is on the Telecare
Board of Trustees and has been active in the fields of higher education
and healthcare; and
WHEREAS, From 1998-2005, Paul Durnan was a member of the St. Francis
Hospital Board and was a founding trustee of Catholic Health Services of
Long Island; from 1994-2005 he was on the Molloy Catholic College Board
of Trustees, where he served as Chairman for seven years; currently, he
holds the title of Chairman Emeritus; and
WHEREAS, Sherry Durnan has been active in many apostolic endeavors
throughout Long Island and on a national level; she is a member of the
St. Agnes Ministry of Consolation, which assists grieving families in
planning their loved ones' funeral Mass; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees, Sherry
Durnan currently serves as the Board Chair of Catholic Charities Health
Systems, Inc.; she is also a Eucharistic Minister and Lector; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Sherry and Paul Durnan received the first St. Agnes
Medal for Outstanding Service in the Diocese of Rockville Centre; they
were also the recipients of the 1998 Molloy College Lifetime Achievement
Award; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, Paul and Sherry Durnan entered the Equestrian Order
of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and presently hold the rank of Knight
and Lady Commander With Star; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Paul and Sherry Durnan were invested into the
Order of Malta as Knight and Dame in 1997; since, they have participated
in 13 Malta Lourdes Pilgrimages and several missions to the Malta Sacred
Heart Hospital in Milot, Haiti; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Paul and Sherry Durnan became the founding Co-Presi-
dents of the Long Island Chapter of Legatos International, an organiza-
tion striving to strengthen the faith of Catholic CEOs and their spous-
es; in 2009, they received the National Legatos Officers of the Year
Award; and
WHEREAS, Happily married for 48 years, Paul and Sherry Durnan are
blessed with seven children, their spouses, and 16 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Sherry and Paul Durnan have stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals
for the benefit of others which Sherry and Paul Durnan have displayed
throughout their lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sherry and Paul Durnan upon the occasion of their designation for
special recognition by Catholic Charities on May 22, 2012; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sherry and Paul Durnan.