Senate Resolution No. 592

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Knights
of Columbus Corpus Christi Council No. 2502 of
Mineola, New York, on November 11, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those fraternal organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Corpus
Christi Council No. 2502 of Mineola, New York, to be celebrated on
Saturday, November 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1882, the Knights of Columbus is a Catholic
men's fraternal benefit society with more than 1.9 million members
located in over 15,900 Councils throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The original chapel of Corpus Christi Church was built in
1895, and the first church dedication was held in 1906; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1921, Corpus Christi Pastor James Burke
purchased the old Graves Estate on Searing Avenue where he opened a
school on September 11, 1922, which remains today; and

WHEREAS, Father Edward A. McGowan was sent to assist Father Burke in
1923, and under Father McGowan's direction, Corpus Christi Council
received its official Charter and Council No. 2502 on November 11, 1923;
during this time, there were 101 Charter members, led by Grand Knight
John Shade; and

WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi Council held its first meetings in the
American Legion building in Mineola, and in the late 1920s, they
purchased a building located at the northwest corner of Willis and
Jefferson; in 1940, the Council left this site and thereafter held its
meetings in a store on Jericho Turnpike just east of Marcellus Road; and

WHEREAS, After relocating to 146 Lincoln Avenue in 1945, the Corpus
Christi Council moved to its present location in the late 1960s when
they purchased a building which was previously an A&P supermarket; and

WHEREAS, In 1945, the Council sponsored a lecture delivered by then
Monsignor FJ Sheen at Chaminade High School's Athletic Field; more than
2,000 people attended; the Monsignor's popularity raised to worldwide
acclaim when he hosted a television program in the 1950s and was then
known as Bishop Fulton J. Sheen; and

WHEREAS, By the late 1970s, under the able direction of Past Grand
Knight Jerry Hughes, excavation began on the half of the building that
rested on the ground; with the assistance of brother John Donahue, who
placed all of the bricks, and many other brothers, the Father Tully room
was dedicated in 1985; and


WHEREAS, The Corpus Christi Council saw fit to transfer ownership of
the building to a management company and remains as a tenant for
meetings and events through present day; furthermore, with the help of
David P. Redmond, the Council went online with its website in July of
2005; and

WHEREAS, Throughout its distinguished history, the Knights of
Columbus Corpus Christi Council have supported four ideals: Charity,
Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism; its members have exemplified these
principles through their support of countless worthy causes; and

WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, the Corpus
Christi Knights of Columbus have demonstrated the value of fostering
camaraderie in a shared vision of community service; this mission is
indicative of a noble organization which epitomizes the heart and soul
of what it means to be an American; and

WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as the Knights
of Columbus Corpus Christi Council provide a model for enhancing the
quality of life in the community and, as such, merit the grateful praise
of the community of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Corpus
Christi Council No. 2502 of Mineola, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Knights of Columbus Corpus Christi Council No. 2502
of Mineola, New York.