LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1646, to be celebrated
on June 16, 2012

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 commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus,
Council No. 1646, to be celebrated on June 16, 2012, at the Council Hall
in Wappingers Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, The world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization,
the Knights of Columbus was founded in the United States in 1882, was
named in honor of Christopher Columbus, and supports four ideals: Chari-
ty, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism; and
WHEREAS, In 1912, a group of Catholic laymen in the area of Wappingers
Falls, conceived the idea of forming a Council of the Knights of Colum-
bus within the environs of the Village; and
WHEREAS, The men primarily responsible for the establishment of the
Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus were John VI. McDonald, Henry J.
Parkinson, Joseph E. Lyons, James S. Evans, Patrick J. Macklin and
Edward M. Drake; they were joined by others, and together they totaled
55; and
WHEREAS, On June 16, 1912, the then Supreme Knight, James A. Flaherty,
granted Charter No. 1646 to the new Council; and
WHEREAS, The Major Degree, the first for Wappingers Council, was held
in St. Mary's School, and following this Degree, Edward M. Drake, was
appointed the first Grand Knight of the Council; and
WHEREAS, The first Chaplain, a charter member, was Father Charles F.
Reed, Pastor of St. Mary's Church; the first Financial Secretary of the
Council was Henry J. Parkinson; the first Advocate of the Council who
served until his death in 1962, was Judge Joseph E. Lyons; and
WHEREAS, In recent years, the Council has participated in the St.
Patrick's Day Parades, the 10-year anniversary service for 9/11 in Mies-
er Park, provided Thanksgiving food baskets for Village families, run
Children's Christmas parties, helped run the 5th and 6th grade dances,
run two blood drives a year, as well as helped St. Mary's Church and
School; and
WHEREAS, For 100 years, the Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus,
Council No. 1646 has been one of the leading organizations of its
village and always an effective participant in every activity for the
good of the community and at all times loyal workers for the support and
intensification of true Americanism; and
WHEREAS, The Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1646 is
still carrying out the principles of its Founding Fathers, and it is the
hope of those now active in the Council that these principles will
always be an influence for good throughout its community and for service
to God, to Country and their fellow man; and
WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, the Wappingers
Falls Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1646, has 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 as the Wappingers Falls
Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1646, provide a model for enhancing the

quality of life in the community and, as such, merit the grateful praise
of the community of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens 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 Wappingers Falls Knights of
Columbus, Council No. 1646, to be celebrated on June 16, 2012; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Wappingers Falls Knights of Columbus, Council No. 1646,
Wappingers Falls, New York.