LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Patrick J. McGowan upon the occasion of
his designation as Grand Marshal of the 2010 Queens County St. Patrick's
Day Parade

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those 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 honor
Patrick J. McGowan upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal
of the 2010 Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, Patrick J. McGowan will be honored by the Queens County St.
Patrick's Day Parade and Cultural Committee at its Annual Antun's Gala
Ball to be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Patrick J. McGowan is the eldest of six children born to
Vincent and Bridget Herbert McGowan of Culleens, County Sligo; in 1981,
he completed secondary school at St. Muredach's College in Ballina,
County Mayo, and decided to explore the endless opportunities offered in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, Upon his arrival, Patrick J. McGowan began working for ICS
Builders, Inc., a contracting company owned by his uncle, Patrick
Herbert; while working diligently as a laborer for ICS Builders, he
attended New Jersey Institute of Technology where he received a Bachelor
of Science degree in Construction Engineering; within a number of hard
working years, he rose from laborer to salesperson to executive vice
president - all the while establishing relationships and making
connections with anyone he came in contact with; and
WHEREAS, Patrick J. McGowan's education, coupled with 20 years of
experience in the construction industry, enabled him to establish his
own company in 2001, McGowan Builders, Inc., a General
Contracting/Construction Management firm headquartered in East Ruther-
ford, New Jersey, with offices in New York City, Long Island, and Flori-
da; and
WHEREAS, Although Patrick J. McGowan is a resident of the United
States, his love and respect for his homeland are exhibited by his annu-
al visits to family and friends in Ireland; he is also involved with
many charitable organizations including the Loretta McGowan Foundation,
which he and his two brothers, Martin and Thomas, set up in 2007 in
honor of their beloved Aunt Loretta; to date, the Foundation has donated
to numerous facilities to help foster education and research for Down
Syndrome; additionally, he sits on the Board of Overseers at New
Jersey's Institute of Technology; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Patricia, and their
four daughters, Meghan, Niamh, Emma and Sarah, all of whom feel privi-
leged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland, and provides an opportimity
for people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride and pageantry;
and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal of the 2010 Queens County
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Patrick J. McGowan embodies the spirit and
the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State
and Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
honor Patrick J. McGowan upon the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the 2010 Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Patrick J. McGowan.