LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending John W. Ryan upon the occasion of his
selection as Grand Marshal of the 82nd Annual Huntington St. Patrick's
Day Parade on March 13, 2016

WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is a time for people of all nationalities and
generations to assemble and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of
Irish people throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland, and provides an opportunity
for people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride and pageantry;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is proud to commend John W.
Ryan upon the occasion of his selection as Grand Marshal of the 82nd
Annual Huntington St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on Sunday, March
13, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is a Catholic, Irish
American Fraternal Organization founded on May 4, 1836, in New York
City; active across the United States, its mission is to foster and
preserve Irish culture, while standing up for issues affecting the Irish
community; and
WHEREAS, For 82 years, the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians St.
Patrick's Day Parade, Long Island's oldest and largest parade, has
remained dedicated to promoting Irish heritage, traditions, family, and
patriotic values; and
WHEREAS, This year the Huntington AOH has chosen its longtime member
and Past President, John "Jack" W. Ryan to proudly lead the St.
Patrick's Day Parade past tens of thousands of spectators along New York
Avenue and Main Street; and
WHEREAS, Jack W. Ryan was born in Colonie, New York, to Elmer and Ida
Ryan; he attended Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School where he developed
an appreciation for his Catholic faith and his Irish heritage; and
WHEREAS, Recently, Jack W. Ryan was able to trace his Irish ancestry
back three generations to his great, great, Grandfather, Dennis Ryan who
came from the County of Tipperary, in Ireland; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Colonie Central High School, Jack W.
Ryan attended the College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, at
Syracuse University where he graduated in 1972; and
WHEREAS, As a young man, Jack W. Ryan understood the importance and
need to conserve our environment and natural resources, and subsequent-
ly, he worked for a number of international forest products companies
whose management policy focused on reforestation and the conservation of
the environment; and
WHEREAS, From 2005-2008, Jack W. Ryan held the position of AOH Divi-
sion 4 President in Huntington, New York; throughout his tenure he
expanded the Hibernian Food Drive Program which provides the much needed
food to our local food pantries; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Jack W. Ryan serves as AOH Suffolk County Board
President and Chairman of Charities and Missions, where he focuses on
expanding his vision of feeding the hungry in Suffolk County through the
John Hennessey Memorial Hunger Program; and
WHEREAS, For his incredible work and dedication to feeding the hungry,
Jack W. Ryan was honored by the Suffolk County Hibernians and named
Suffolk County's Aide to the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade in
2013; in addition, the Huntington Hibernians recognized him as the
Hibernian Brother of the Year in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Jack W. Ryan is also an active member of the Hibernian
Festival Singers, a choral group which for the past two years has
performed in Carnegie Hall, raising funds and awareness for Hope House,
of Port Jefferson, New York, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is
to help troubled youths in Suffolk County; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Jack W. Ryan is an active member of the Northport
Kiwanis Club, Crab Meadow Men's Golf Club and Nokado School of Self
Defense; 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
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend John W. Ryan upon the occasion of his selection as Grand Marshal
of the 82nd Annual Huntington St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 13,
2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John W. Ryan.