Honor John Ryan for Service

Senate Resolution No. 1306 BY: Senator MARCELLINO COMMENDING John Ryan upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Suffolk County Ancient Order of Hibernians WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to those individuals and organizations that devote their energy, resources and thoughtful care to improving the quality and character of life in their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend John Ryan upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Suffolk County Ancient Order of Hibernians to be celebrated at its 26th Annual Ball on Friday, April 21, 2017, at the Bellport Country Club in Bellport, New York; and WHEREAS, The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is a Catholic, Irish American Fraternal Organization founded in New York City on May 4, 1836, at St. James Church; the Order seeks to aid the newly arrived Irish, both socially, and politically; in addition, it preserves the Irish culture of art, dance, music and sports; the AOH has been at the political forefront for issues concerning the Irish, such as immigration reform, economic incentives, human rights issues and many more; and WHEREAS, Born in upstate New York to Elmer and Ida Ryan, John (Jack) Ryan was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, where he developed an appreciation for both his Catholic faith and his Irish heritage; and WHEREAS, After graduating from Colonie Center High School, Jack Ryan attended the College of Forestry and Environmental Science at Syracuse University; he went on to work for a number of international forest products companies whose management policies focused on reforestation and the conservation of the environment; and WHEREAS, A dedicated member of the Suffolk County AOH, Jack Ryan has held the position of AOH Division 4 President in Huntington from

2005-2008; in this esteemed position, he expanded the Hibernian Food Drive Program; currently, he is the AOH Suffolk County Board President and Chairman of Charities and is focusing on expanding his vision of feeding the hungry in his community; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his community, John Ryan was named the 2014 Hibernian Brother of the Year and the 2013 Suffolk County's Aid to the Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade; and WHEREAS, An active participant in multiple groups, Jack Ryan partakes in the Hibernian Festival Singers and has performed at Lincoln Center, NYCB Theater at Westbury and Carnegie Hall to raise funds and awareness for Hope House Ministries of Port Jefferson, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help troubled youths in Suffolk County; and WHEREAS, Additionally, Jack Ryan is involved with the Northport Kiwanis Club, Crab Meadow Men's Golf Club and Nokado School of Self Defense; he is also an accomplished Equestrian rider having competed in Dressage, Stadium Jumping and Cross Country Jumping Events; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend John Ryan upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Suffolk County Ancient Order of Hibernians; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to John Ryan.