LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bud Cosgrove upon the occasion of being
named a Grand Marshal of the 15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's
Parade on March 19, 2011

WHEREAS, Saint 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 Saint 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, Rockville Centre's St. Patrick's Parade was established on
March 22, 1997 and remains dedicated to promoting Irish heritage and
culture, family and patriotic values; to promoting and annually finan-
cially supporting a national, an Irish, and a Rockville Centre focused
charity; and to contributing to the good and welfare of the residents
and businesses of Rockville Centre; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bud Cosgrove,
one of the Parade's founders, noting his tremendous efforts in support
of the Parade he helped start, upon the occasion of being named a Grand
Marshal of the 15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade on
Saturday, March 19, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Without the vision and hard work of Bud Cosgrove, the Rock-
ville Centre St. Patrick's Parade would not have been possible; through-
out the 15 years of the Parade he has remained active and involved and
truly exemplifies the Parade's motto, "The Parade that Cares and
Shares"; and
WHEREAS, Bud Cosgrove earned a dual Bachelor of Science degree in
Health and Physical Education from the State University of New York
College at Brockport and a master's degree in Physical Education and
Recreation from Columbia University; he is a proud Vietnam era Army
veteran, having served with the 269th Signal Company in Orleans, France
during the Fall of the Berlin Wall and Cuban Missile crises; and
WHEREAS, Bud Cosgrove began his career as the Assistant Director for
Recreation for the Town of Hempstead, where he played an integral role
in the planning and implementation of the Town's nationally recognized
ANCHOR program; and
WHEREAS, After leaving the Town of Hempstead, he went on to serve for
25 years as one of the founders and executives of the Nassau County
Department of Recreation and Parks; as Deputy Commissioner of Nassau
County's Recreation and Parks Department, Bud Cosgrove had responsibil-
ity for the operations of Nassau County's extensive and active park
system; and
WHEREAS, Bud Cosgrove has, since 2000, been the Director of Senior
Wellness and Special Needs Programs at the Sportset Health and Fitness
Club in Rockville Centre; he has, in addition, been an Adjunct Professor
at the Long Island University C.W. Post Campus teaching in its School of
Management Health Care and Public Administration Program for more than
30 years; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of his community, after helping
organize the first Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade, Bud Cosgrove
served as Co-Chairman of the Parade Committee for ten years and remains
active on numerous sub-committees of the Parade to this day; he also
proudly and ably served for 12 years as a Trustee of the Village of
Rockville Centre; and
WHEREAS, Bud Cosgrove and his wife, Suzie, have lived in Rockville
Centre for 42 years; they are the proud and loving parents of six adult

children and have seven cherished grandchildren, all of whom feel privi-
leged to be part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Each year as we honor St. 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, A St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrates the spirit, purity and
strength of the Irish Culture and its fine traditions and provides an
opportunity for people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride
and pageantry; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice to serve as a Grand Marshal of the 2011
Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade, Bud Cosgrove embodies the
spirit and the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this
great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bud Cosgrove upon the occasion of being named a Grand Marshal of
the 15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade on March 19, 2011;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bud Cosgrove.