Senate Resolution No. 523

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the
occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the
New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who work
diligently to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation
as Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade; and

WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious appointment, Dr.
Brian J. O'Dwyer will have the honor of leading the 258th consecutive
New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Saturday,
March 16, 2019; and

WHEREAS, The New York City St. Patrick's Parade marched for the
first time in 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was
signed in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Parade is
regarded as the most popular of all the Parades in New York City, and
honors Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York
and Ireland; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his meritorious life, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer has
strived to promote Irish culture and establish strong ties between
America and the Emerald Isle; and

WHEREAS, A native New Yorker, Brian J. O'Dwyer comes from a
legendary Irish American family; he is the son of the late Paul O'Dwyer,
civil rights advocate and past President of the New York City Council,
and the nephew of The Honorable William O'Dwyer, former Mayor of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Brian J. O'Dwyer was educated in the New York City public
school system and graduated from the High School of Music and Art, now
known as LaGuardia High School; he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree
from The George Washington University and a Masters of Arts degree from
Middlebury College in Madrid, Spain; and

WHEREAS, Brian J. O'Dwyer furthered his education by obtaining his
Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University and a master's degree
in law from The George Washington University; in July of 2013, he was
awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Dublin City
University; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Brian J. O'Dwyer is the senior partner at
O'Dwyer & Bernstein, LLP, a law firm founded by his father; as a son of
Irish immigrants, he has been a consummate advocate for immigrants'
rights, and has dedicated his life to serving his American Irish
Community; and

WHEREAS, Brian J. O'Dwyer founded the Emerald Isle Immigration
Center, which is the largest Irish immigrant center in the United
States; since its inception, the center has assisted thousands of Irish
men and women as they immigrated to New York City; and

WHEREAS, Brian J. O'Dwyer has also served as both Chairman and
Counselor for the Asociacion Tepeyac, an organization which provides
advocacy and services to New York's growing Mexican community; and

WHEREAS, A former Spanish teacher at The George Washington
University and Malcolm King College, Brian J. O'Dwyer is the co-Chair of
the board of the Graduate School of Political Management of The George
Washington University, and holds the title of Treasurer of the City
University of New York Law School Foundation; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable man is also the national President of his
college fraternity, Kappa Sigma, and presently serves as an advisor to
many chapters in the New York City area; in 2012, he was named The
Fraternity's Man of the Year by Kappa Sigma, only one of 76 in the
history of the fraternity, and was presented with the Dean's Medal from
the City University of New York Law School Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Proud of his Irish heritage, Brian J. O'Dwyer's extensive
work in the political arena has concentrated largely on promoting Irish
and Irish-American interests; he was part of the delegation that
accompanied President William Clinton to Ireland on each of his three
trips and served as an advisor to the White House on Irish issues
including the peace process; he was appointed by President Clinton as a
Commissioner of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships,
and was awarded the Director Citation for Exemplary Public Service by
the White House; and

WHEREAS, In June of 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
appointed him Commissioner of the United States National Commission for
UNESCO; and

WHEREAS, Today, Brian J. O'Dwyer continues to work to advance
Ireland's causes and business interests in the United States as Chairman
of the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA where he works to facilitate
American investment in Ireland and Northern Ireland; he also serves as a
member of the Board of Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo
Ireland; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the causes
of Ireland and immigrants, Brian J. O'Dwyer has been the recipient of
numerous accolades including an award by the Irish Immigration Reform
Movement and the Brehon Law Society, and was selected Chief Brehon of
the Coney Island Irish Fair; and

WHEREAS, Brian J. O'Dwyer also received the 2015 Sean MacBride
Humanitarian Award by the Ancient Order of Hibernians for his work in
the cause of peace, justice, and the economic well-being of the Irish
people, and has been selected by Irish America magazine on numerous
occasions as a member of the Top 100 Irish in the United States; and

WHEREAS, In June of 2012, Brian J. O'Dwyer was honored as one of the
top 25 Irish who have made a difference by Irish Voice Magazine, and in
2013, the Irish Echo, the oldest Irish American Newspaper, named him its

Man of the Year; he was the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Award and the 1994 Outreach Project Annual Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Brian J. O'Dwyer has also received many recognitions from
the Catholic Church; he was named a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre,
received a papal knighthood conferred by Edward Cardinal Egan, and was
conferred with The Child of Peace Award by the Catholic Home Bureau; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Brian J. O'Dwyer has been cited many times and
received awards from the New York City Council, the government of Puerto
Rico and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, the former Marianna
Page MacWilliam; their two children, Brendan Keith and Kathleen Page;
and four grandchildren, Paul Ellis, Patrick Trescott, Reilly Page and
Hailey Grace, all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in
his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal for the New York City
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer embodies the spirit and
the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State
and Nation; he is a steadfast champion of all things Irish and Irish
American; 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, 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 celebrated 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
commend Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation
as Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq.