Honor Michael J. Dowling

Assembly Resolution No. 137 BY: M. of A. Cusick COMMENDING Michael J. Dowling upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New York City 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade 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 Michael J. Dowling upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New York City 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade; and WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious appointment Michael J. Dowling will have the honor of leading the 255th consecutive New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Friday, March

17, 2017; and WHEREAS, New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade marched for the first time in 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Parade is regarded as the most popular of all the Parades in New York City, and honors Saint Patrick - the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York and Ireland; and WHEREAS, The New York Parade consists only of marchers and each year hosts some 250,000 marchers and two million spectators; the Parade has many outstanding marching bands, bagpipers in marching formations, high school and college bands from throughout the United States and from all over the world; and WHEREAS, Michael J. Dowling is the true embodiment of the values we celebrate on St. Patrick's Day, a leader in a noble healing profession, an educator, a public servant, and an Irish-American who has made enormous contributions to his adopted country; and WHEREAS, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwell Health, Michael J. Dowling is believed to be the first head of a hospital to lead this renowned 255-year-old Parade; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Michael J. Dowling since 2002, Northwell Health is the largest integrated healthcare system in New York State with a total workforce of more than 61,000 employees, the state's largest private employer; and WHEREAS, Michael J. Dowling has been instrumental in the growth of Northwell Health into a regional clinical, academic and research enterprise with a strong presence throughout the metropolitan area; and WHEREAS, With 21 hospitals, 6,675 hospital and long-term care beds, more than 500 outpatient physician practices and a full complement of long-term care services, Northwell Health is one of the nation's largest health systems; and WHEREAS, Michael J. Dowling had a long and distinguished career in education and public service before joining Northwell Health in 1995; he was a professor of social policy and assistant dean at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services, and director of the Fordham campus in Westchester County; and WHEREAS, With 12 years of service in New York State government, Michael J. Dowling served for seven years as State Director of Health, Education and Human Services and as Deputy Secretary to the Governor; he was also Commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services; and WHEREAS, Michael J. Dowling is chair of the Healthcare Institute, a member of the North American Board of the Smurfit School of Business at University College, Dublin, Ireland, and a former member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences; and WHEREAS, Growing up in Limerick, Ireland, Michael J. Dowling earned his undergraduate degree from University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, and his master's degree from Fordham University; he also holds honorary doctorates from University College Dublin and Hofstra University; and WHEREAS, Michael J. Dowling has been the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Kathleen, and their two children, Brian and Elizabeth, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; 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, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal for the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, Michael J. Dowling embodies the spirit and the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and Nation; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Michael J. Dowling upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the New York City 2017 St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Michael J. Dowling.