Honor Friends of St. Patrick

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.