Senate Resolution No. 1851

BY: Senator LAVALLE

HONORING the Friends of St. Patrick upon the
occasion of its designation for special recognition
by the Rocky Point Lions Club on May 3, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those organizations of true purpose and worthy accomplishment which
foster a spirit of community and service and, simultaneously, work
diligently to preserve 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 honor
the Friends of St. Patrick upon the occasion of its designation for
special recognition by the Rocky Point Lions Club, to be celebrated at
its 10th Annual A Lions Taste of Long Island on Wednesday, May 3, 2017;
and

WHEREAS, In 1949, two local businessmen, John M. Sullivan and George
Faulkner, formed a committee consisting of local residents and
businessmen and devised a method to rouse residents from the gray
doldrums of another blustery season; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to bring out the "green" to the surrounding
hamlets and to celebrate the early return of spring, a parade was
organized in honor of St. Patrick; and

WHEREAS, The Friends of St. Patrick was born, and the arrival of an
early spring now had a new beginning; on Saturday, March 17, 1951,
Co-Grand Marshals John H. Sullivan and George Faulkner donned top hats
while sitting atop two horses and departed John's local business
establishment of Sullivan's Tavern at Harrison Avenue and Route 25A in
Miller Place, to lead what would be the first of scores of annual
parades; and

WHEREAS, Heading east, members of the community joined in and
followed the festive journey with the final destination being what is
now known as Downtown Rocky Point; it was a time for friends and
neighbors alike to reconnect, mingle and share their stories and
experiences of past months, huddled away from the chills of winter; and

WHEREAS, Green became the day's dominant color as the muted hues of
winter transformed Rocky Point into "Shamrocky Point"; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 1,000 people attended that fateful day, as Master of
Ceremonies, William McCarrick introduced the first Queen of the St.
Patrick's Day Parade, Peggy McKenna, to an applauding crowd as she
arrived in a historic 85-year-old carriage; and

WHEREAS, Today, well into its sixth decade, the Friends of St.
Patrick has several active second and third generation members who
participate in organizing and executing its annual parade and events;
the local populations have grown, and so has the parade, with estimated
crowds in excess of 50,000 in addition to the thousands of marchers and
participants; and


WHEREAS, The parade is now the largest and second oldest in Suffolk
County, as well as the most anticipated event to residents near and far;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body salutes all of the individuals, past
and present, who have given their time to this worthy organization,
noting their commitment to enhance and improve the quality of life in
their community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Friends of St. Patrick upon the occasion of its designation
for special recognition by the Rocky Point Lions Club on May 3, 2017;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Friends of St. Patrick, Rocky Point, New York.