Honor Long Family's Irish Heritage

Senate Resolution No. 3953 BY: Senator GOLDEN COMMENDING The Long Family upon the occasion of their selection as the 2018 Irish Family of the Year by the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who work diligently to preserve and celebrate 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 commend The Long Family upon the occasion of their designation as Irish Family of the Year by the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee; and WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious recognition, The Long Family will proudly march in the 25th Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade, down 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, on Sunday,

March 25, 2018; and WHEREAS, The Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade is meant to recognize and celebrate Irish culture, heritage and pride, for those who have emigrated here from the Emerald Isle, the Irish-American community, as well as those who are Irish in spirit; and WHEREAS, In October of 1982, the Longs moved to Bay Ridge from Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, where family patriarch, Mike, and his brother owned and operated Long's Ice Cream Parlor for 25 years; and WHEREAS, The Long Family, which consists of parents, Mike and Eileen Sr., and their nine children, Michael, Matt, Jim, Robert, Eileen, Maureen, Chris, Frank and Eddie, are a vital and treasured part of the Bay Ridge community; and WHEREAS, The children received a solid Catholic school education at Archbishop Molloy High School, Bishop Ford High School, St. Saviour High School, and Xaverian High School; after graduating, the children attended college at either St. Francis College, Iona College, College of Staten Island or Fordham University; and WHEREAS, The family quickly became active participants of the Bay Ridge community; Mike Long and his brother opened Long's Wines and Liquors on 5th Avenue, and the family has been faithful members of various organizations such as Bay Ridge Community Council, Holy Angels Catholic Academy, and The Guild for Exceptional Children; and WHEREAS, Both Mike Sr. and Eileen Long have been involved in politics for decades; Eileen worked for the House of Representatives for

20 years, and Mike has been the Chairman of his party for 30 years; and WHEREAS, Several members of the Long Family have been previously honored by the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee; in 1994, Mike Sr. served as Grand Marshal, Eileen was a Deputy Marshal in 2004, Rob was a 2008 Deputy Marshal, and daughter Eileen was named Deputy Marshal in 2013; and WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day Parade reflects and records the ongoing history of the United States and Ireland, and provides an opportunity for people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride and pageantry; and WHEREAS, As a large proud Irish American family, the Longs are honored to represent Bay Ridge in the St. Patrick's Day Parade; it is an amazing opportunity to share their Irish pride with the entire Bay Ridge community, a blessed pride they are happy to continue through song and dance with the youngest members of the Long clan, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Irish Family of the Year, The Long Family embodies the spirit and the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend The Long Family upon the occasion of their selection as the 2018 Irish Family of the Year by the Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Long Family.