LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Joseph R. Heppes upon the occasion of
being named Grand Marshal of the 2011 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day
Parade to be held on March 13, 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Joseph R.
Heppes upon the occasion of being named Grand Marshal of the 2011 Mid-
Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on March 13, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Son of John Philip and Mary Ellen Monaghan Heppes, Joseph
Ronald Heppes, affectionately known as Ron, was born and raised in the
Bronx; his maternal grandparents, Patrick and Mary Ellen Bourke Mona-
ghan, emigrated from County West Meath and County Tipperary to the
United States in the late 19th Century; and
WHEREAS, Ron Heppes is a graduate of St. Angela Merici grade school
and All Hallows High School; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation from high school and the outbreak of the
Korean War, Ron Heppes enlisted in the United States Navy where he
served four years; he then attended the New York Institute of Technology
for one year and then became a member of the New York State Police in
1955; he retired in 1978 as an Investigator for the Bureau of Criminal
Investigation; and
WHEREAS, Upon retirement, Ron Heppes worked as an Investigator for the
Orange County Legal Aid Society for a short time before being hired as
the Career Criminal Unit Coordinator for the Orange County DA's Office;
he held that position until his retirement in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Ron Heppes is a charter member of The Ancient Order of Hiber-
nians (AOH) Division 4 which was formed in October of 1993, in Middle-
town, New York; he has served in many offices for Division 4 including
President, Vice President, Treasurer and Marshal; and
WHEREAS, Ron Heppes currently serves on many committees for Division 4
in particular the Golf/Dinner Dance fundraisers, whose funds are allot-
ted to various charities and scholarships for local Catholic schools; he
is currently the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Orange County
AOH Board; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Ron Heppes has worked diligently to get many
journal ads for the Parade Committee; he was elected for three terms as
a member of the Middletown City Council as an alderman for the Fourth
Ward; during his tenure, he was instrumental in bringing the Mid-Hudson
St. Patrick's Day Parade to Middletown in 1999 and 2000; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Ron Heppes has been actively involved in
many organizations in Orange County including Board of
Directors/Treasurer and Coach of Middletown Little League, Coach for Mt.
Carmel CYO Basketball, Board member for Orange County CYO Athletic
Committee, John S. Burke Catholic High School Parents Organization and
Booster Club, Middletown High School Football Booster Club, Our Lady of
Mt. Carmel Parent's Guild, Catechist in the Mt. Carmel Religious Educa-
tion Program, and Middletown Lions Club; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife of 54 years, Catherine
Sweeney, and their five sons, Joseph R. Jr., John, Eugene, Paul and
Robert, as well as their 12 grandchildren, Sarah, Ben, Arielle, Brenna,
John, Laura, Connor, Grace, Sean, Isabella, Clare and Caitlin, all of

whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is not, as many believe, a celebration of
the Patron Saint of Ireland's birth but of his death; and
WHEREAS, The St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrates the spirit, purity
and strength of the Irish Culture and its fine traditions; 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
commend Joseph R. Heppes upon the occasion of being named Grand Marshal
of the 2011 Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on March 13,
2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph R. Heppes.