LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending George John Mitchell upon the occasion
of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New York City 2016 St.
Patrick's Day Parade

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who work dili-
gently to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
George John Mitchell upon the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the New York City 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious appointment George
John Mitchell will have the honor of leading the 254th consecutive New
York City St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Thursday, March
17, 2016; and
WHEREAS, New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade marched for the first
time in 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed
in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Parade is regarded
as the most popular of all the Parades in New York City, and honors
Saint Patrick - the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York and
Ireland; and
WHEREAS, The New York Parade consists only of marchers and each year
hosts some 250,000 marchers and two million spectators; the Parade has
many outstanding marching bands, bagpipers in marching formations, high
school and college bands from throughout the United States and from all
over the world; and
WHEREAS, George John Mitchell was born to Lebanese and Irish immi-
grants in Waterville, Maine; even though his parents struggled to make
ends meet, they always encouraged their children to study hard and
appreciate the value of a good education; and
WHEREAS, After graduation from high school, George J. Mitchell earned
his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College in 1954; he then proudly
served as an officer of the United States Army Counter-Intelligence
Corps in Berlin, Germany for two years; and
WHEREAS, After his discharge, George J. Mitchell received his law
degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1960; from 1960-1962, he
served as a trial lawyer in the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.;
and
WHEREAS, From 1962-1965, George J. Mitchell held the position of Exec-
utive Assistant to Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine; he then decided to
return to his home state to practice law until 1977; and
WHEREAS, During this time, George J. Mitchell served as Deputy
Campaign Manager for Senator Muskie's vice presidential campaign in
1968, and again, for his presidential campaign in 1972; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, George J. Mitchell was selected as United States
Attorney for Maine, a position he held until 1979, when he became United
States District Judge for Maine; and
WHEREAS, One year later, George J. Mitchell was appointed to the
United States Senate to fulfill the unexpired term of Senator Edmund S.
Muskie, who had resigned to become Secretary of State; in 1982, he was
elected to a full term in the Senate; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Senator George J. Mitchell was reelected to the
Senate with 81 percent of the vote, the largest margin in the history of
the state of Maine; at the opening of the next session, he was elected
Senate Majority Leader, the second most powerful elected official in the
United States, a title he held for six years; and

WHEREAS, After finishing his last Senate term in 1995, George J.
Mitchell was called by both the British and Irish Governments to serve
as Chairman of the International Commission on Disarmament in Northern
Ireland, and as Chairman of the subsequent peace negotiations, culminat-
ing in the historic Good Friday agreement; and
WHEREAS, After this success in Ireland, President Clinton, Prime
Minister Barak of Israel and Chairman Arafat of the Palestinian Authori-
ty asked George J. Mitchell to chair an International Fact Finding
Committee on the crisis between the Israel and the Palestinian Authori-
ty; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his esteemed political career, George J.
Mitchell is the author of four books including WORLD ON FIRE, NOT FOR
AMERICA ALONE: THE TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY AND THE FALL OF COMMUNISM, and
MAKING PEACE, as well as MEN OF ZEAL which he co-authored with Senator
Bill Cohen of Maine; and
WHEREAS, Currently, George J. Mitchell holds the titles of Chancellor
of The Queen's University of Belfast and as President of The Economic
Club of Washington; he has also served as Chairman of the International
Crisis Group, Chairman of the Special Commission, and as Chairman of the
National Health Care Commission; 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, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal for the New York City St.
Patrick's Day Parade, George J. Mitchell embodies the spirit and the
cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and
Nation; 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 George John Mitchell upon the occasion of his designation as
Grand Marshal of the New York City 2016 St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to George John Mitchell.