LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Joseph F. Kelly upon the occasion of
being named a Grand Marshal of the 15th Annual Rockville Centre St.
Patrick's Parade on March 19, 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, Rockville Centre's St. Patrick's Parade was established on
March 22, 1997 and remains dedicated to promoting Irish heritage and
culture, family and patriotic values; to promoting and annually finan-
cially supporting a national, an Irish, and a Rockville Centre focused
charity; and to contributing to the good and welfare of the residents
and businesses of Rockville Centre; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Joseph F.
"Joe" Kelly, one of the Parade's founders, noting his tremendous efforts
in support of the Parade he helped start, upon the occasion of being
named a Grand Marshal of the 15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's
Parade on Saturday, March 19, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Without the vision and hard work of Joseph F. Kelly, the
Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade would not have been possible;
throughout the 15 years of the Parade he has remained active and
involved and truly exemplifies the Parade's motto, "The Parade that
Cares and Shares"; and
WHEREAS, Joseph F. Kelly, a graduate of St. John's Prep School and
Niagara University, did postgraduate work at the New York University
Graduate School of Business and served as a First Lieutenant with the
United States Army in Korea; and
WHEREAS, Professionally, Joseph F. Kelly has had wide experience in
the financial field; over the years, he was associated with A.G.
Edwards, Prudential Securities, and A.G. Becker & Co. and recently
retired from Janney Montgomery Scott in Garden City; he has served as
Chairman of the of the Public Securities Association's Federal Agency
Committee, as an Executive Committee member of the U.S. Primary Dealers
Association, and has been listed in WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN FINANCE; and
WHEREAS, Active in his community as well as his profession, after
helping organize the first Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade, Joseph
F. Kelly served as Chairman of the Parade Committee and his wife Dianne
served as the Committee's Secretary; he has also served as Chairman of
the Maple Avenue Task Force and as Chairman of the Rockville Centre
Environmental and Beautification Committee from 1978 to 1983 and is a
past member of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick on Long
Island; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kelly has been honored with the Edward D. Riley Award and
the Joseph P. Molinari Award from the Villanova Educational Foundation
and is Chairman of The Reverend Thomas Concagh Scholarship Fund at St.
John's Prep School in Queens; and
WHEREAS, Joseph F. Kelly's charitable endeavors are not limited to
Long Island; he is currently serving as the founding Chairman of the
Belleayre Conservatory and the Coalition to Save Belleayre Mountain in
upstate New York, as well as serving on the Boards of Directors of the
Catskill Regional Ski Council and the M-ARK Project and, he is, in addi-
tion, a Charter Member of The Belleayre Mountain Ski Center Hall of
Fame; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Kelly and his wife, Dianne, have lived in Rockville
Centre for almost 40 years; their three children, their wonderful spous-
es, and their nine cherished grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged
to be part of his life and rejoice in his achievements, live nearby and
will march in the Parade, wearing their best green in celebration of
America's and Rockville Centre's Irish heritage; and
WHEREAS, Each year as we honor St. Patrick, whose life mirrored a deep
and abiding example of the challenges of sainthood, we are mindful of
the proud history of the Irish people and their struggle against
oppression, religious intolerance and political, social and economic
barriers; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrates the spirit, purity and
strength of the Irish Culture and its fine traditions and provides an
opportunity for people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride
and pageantry; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice to serve as a Grand Marshal of the 2011
Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade, Joseph F. Kelly embodies the
spirit and the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this
great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph F. Kelly upon the occasion of being named a Grand Marshal
of the 15th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade on March 19,
2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph F. Kelly.