Senate Resolution No. 2721

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING the Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society
upon the occasion of celebrating its 20th
Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body, in keeping with
its time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those
individuals and organizations which foster ethnic pride and enhance the
profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the
communities of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society upon the occasion of
celebrating its 20th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society (BIGS) was formed in
the new GAA Irish library in October of 1997; the small group consisted
of enthusiastic genealogical researchers who were interested in
discovering more about their ancestry; and

WHEREAS, BIGS soon began networking within the Irish community,
assisting genealogists in tracing their Irish family history with
connections to Buffalo, New York, and surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, To acknowledge their outstanding efforts, the Buffalo Irish
Times offered BIGS a free subscription, helping it increase their
circulation throughout the region; and

WHEREAS, BIGS was led by President, Kevin J. O'Brian; Vice
President, James R. Shine; and Secretary/Treasurer, Donna M. Shine; and

WHEREAS, The first scheduled meeting was held on January 15, 1998,
and members agreed to pay dues of $15.00 a month; they also planned to
meet in January, April, July, and October; and

WHEREAS, Members are given the opportunity to present their research
findings to the TIMES, an Irish Buffalo newspaper, and receive a
subscription of the Buffalo Irish Times; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the last 20 years, BIGS has accomplished
numerous goals; its dedicated members copied census records from
microfilms for anyone living on the Buffalo Sea Wall, and listed the
different names recorded on different censuses; and

WHEREAS, Every April, this vital organization hosts Gathering of the
Clans, a genealogical help night; individuals enjoy learning how to
research their own family histories; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, BIGS has grown and flourished;
through its member's diligent efforts, vast searchable databases have
been created and are used by interested people from all over the world;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, 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 the Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society upon the occasion of
celebrating its 20th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society.