LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Father Michael J. McGivney as founder of
the Knights of Columbus, March 29, 1882

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals 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 honor
Father Michael J. McGivney as founder of the Knights of Columbus, March
29, 1882; and
WHEREAS, The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic
service organization; it provides members and their families with volun-
teer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community,
families, and young people; and
WHEREAS, The fraternal organization has over 89,000 members and numer-
ous councils across the State of New York, providing needed support and
assistance to families and groups throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael McGivney was born in Waterbury, Connecticut,
on August 12, 1852; his parents, Patrick and Mary (Lynch) McGivney,
arrived during the great 19th Century wave of Irish immigration; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael McGivney went to the small district schools of
Waterbury's working-class neighborhoods; after the Civil War, he left
school at the age of 13 to go to work at a factory until the age of 16;
and
WHEREAS, With the priesthood clearly in mind, Father Michael McGivney
traveled with his Waterbury pastor to Quebec, Canada; while there, he
registered at the French-run College of St. Hyacinthe; two academic
years followed at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, attached to Niagara
University in Niagara Falls, New York; he attended seminary classes at
the Jesuit-run St. Mary's College in Montreal; and
WHEREAS, After four years of study, Father Michael McGivney was
ordained on December 22, 1877, in Baltimore's historic Cathedral of the
Assumption; he began his priestly ministry on Christmas Day of that
year, as curate at St. Mary's Church in New Haven; and
WHEREAS, In 1881, in an era when parish clubs and fraternal societies
had wide popular appeal, Father Michael McGivney began to explore with
various laymen the idea of a Catholic, fraternal benefit society as a
way to strengthen religious faith and, at the same time, provide for the
financial needs of families overwhelmed by illness or death of the
breadwinner; and
WHEREAS, Father Michael McGivney had suggested Sons of Columbus as a
name for the Order; the word "knights" replaced "sons" because key
members of the organizing group who were Irish-born Civil War veterans
felt it would help to apply a noble ritual in support of the emerging
cause of Catholic civil liberty; and
WHEREAS, On March 29, 1882, the Connecticut legislature granted a
charter to the Knights of Columbus, formally establishing it as a legal
corporation; and
WHEREAS, The Order's principles in 1882 were "Unity" and "Charity";
the concepts of "Fraternity" and "Patriotism" were added later; from the
beginning, each of these ideals played a major role in ceremonials; and
WHEREAS, Organizations of singular distinction such as the Knights of
Columbus provide a model for enhancing the quality of life in the commu-
nity and, as such, merit the grateful praise of the community of the
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 Father Michael J. McGivney as founder of the Knights of Columbus,
March 29, 1882; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary's-Maris Stella Council No.
2228, Lynbrook, New York.