Senate Resolution No. 1052

BY: Senator FLANAGAN

HONORING St. Patrick and all persons of Irish
descent upon the occasion of the 2017 celebration of
St. Patrick's Day on Friday, March 17, 2017

WHEREAS, A native of Roman Britain, Patrick was the son of
Calpurnius, a civil servant and deacon; and

WHEREAS, Tradition has it that at age 16, Patrick was captured,
along with all the servants of his father's estate, by Irish marauders,
then sold to a Druid chief and taken to what is now known as County
Antrim, in the Province of Ulster, Ireland; and

WHEREAS, During his six years of captivity, Patrick's occupation as
a slave was the tending of flocks of swine and sheep; and

WHEREAS, While in Ireland, Patrick learned the Irish language and
customs; and

WHEREAS, During this period, Patrick experienced a religious
awakening, with the Christian teachings of his family and pastors taking
hold during his captivity; and

WHEREAS, Driven by visions urging him to return to his native land,
Patrick escaped his captors, undertaking a perilous journey in the
process; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return home, Patrick dedicated his life to
religion, studying in France, where he was ordained a priest and later
consecrated a Bishop; and

WHEREAS, It was Pope Celestine I who named him Patricius and sent
him back to Ireland, where he tangled with the Druids over religious
beliefs and where his efforts to convert the Irish to the Catholic faith
were untiring, as seen today in the significant presence of God in Irish
life; and

WHEREAS, It was the example and fervor of Patrick's faith that
inspired and rekindled the lamp of learning in Ireland which shone
throughout the British Isles and the rest of Europe, and which sustained
the people of Ireland through famine, oppression and exile; and

WHEREAS, As United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy
observed, Ireland has hemorrhaged herself to enrich the life's blood of
other nations around the world, where its sons and daughters have risen
to prominent positions as pioneers, educators, military commanders and
government leaders, even ascending to the Presidency of both France and
the United States; and

WHEREAS, It was his faith that earned Patrick not only sainthood,
but the everlasting love and respect of the Irish people; and

WHEREAS, As we honor St. Patrick, whose life mirrored a deep and
abiding example of the challenges of sainthood, we are mindful of the

history of the Irish people and their struggle against oppression,
religious intolerance and political, social and economic barriers; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
most joyously commemorate the life and good works of St. Patrick and to
express its sincerest prayers and hopes that the 1998 Peace Agreement,
known as the Good Friday Agreement, will lead to a lasting
reconciliation between the Christian populations of Northern Ireland and
bring true peace and freedom for all the people of Northern Ireland; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted Michael J. Dowling, 256th Grand Marshal of the New York City
St. Patrick's Day Parade; and Dr. John L. Lahey, Chairman of the New
York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, on the 17th of March 2017.