Bill Text: NY J02982 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 2982 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Commending Patrick Dunbar as Grand Marshal of the 27th Annual "Old Neighborhood" St. Patrick's Day Parade in Buffalo's First Ward

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-03-10 - ADOPTED [J02982 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02982-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 2982

BY: Senator KENNEDY

        COMMENDING Patrick Dunbar upon the occasion of his
        designation as Grand Marshal of the 27th Annual "Old
        Neighborhood"  St. Patrick's Day Parade in Buffalo's
        First Ward

  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  Patrick  Dunbar  upon  the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the 27th Annual "Old Neighborhood" St. Patrick's  Day  Parade
in Buffalo's First Ward; and

  WHEREAS,  In  acknowledgment  of  this most prestigious appointment,
Patrick Dunbar will have the honor of leading the "Old Neighborhood" St.
Patrick's  Day  Parade  which  will  include  over  100  marching  units
representing  the  Irish  heritage  and  pride  of  social  clubs, Irish
culture, and family clans, as well as fire and police departments; and

  WHEREAS, The Parade will mimic  the  original  1913  route,  winding
through   the  historic  streets  of  the  Valley  and  Old  First  Ward
Neighborhoods on Saturday, March 14, 2020; and

  WHEREAS, Patrick Dunbar was born in the Valley neighborhood to Daisy
Dunbar, who raised him along with his grandmother, Ma Dunbar; and

  WHEREAS, Patrick Dunbar  attended  Buffalo  Public  School  No.  33,
Southside  Junior  High  School, and South Park High School where he was
the captain of both the basketball and baseball teams;  under  his  able
leadership,  the 1970 baseball team won the New York State Championship;
and

  WHEREAS, After graduating,  Patrick  Dunbar  played  basketball  and
earned his degree from Bryant & Stratton College; and

  WHEREAS,  Today,  Patrick  Dunbar  holds  the  title of Recreational
Instructor for the City of Buffalo Department of Parks  and  Recreation,
and works at the Hennepin Community Center; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Patrick Dunbar has worked throughout
the  city's  park  system at many of the its pools including Centennial,
Kensington, and Masten, and with youth at community  centers  throughout
Buffalo  including  Jubilee, Asarese-Matters, Lanigan, and Tosh Collins;
and

  WHEREAS, Devoted to his heritage and his community,  Patrick  Dunbar
is member of both the Corkers and the West Seneca Social Club, and holds
the position of President of The Blarney Castle; and

  WHEREAS,  For  most  of  his  life, Patrick Dunbar has been actively
involved with the Valley Community Association, serving as President  of

its Board of Directors; he has always been ready to lend a helping hand,
whether  it  was  assisting  with  Valley  Bingo or various benefits, or
wearing  Santa  Claus  and  Easter  Bunny  costumes  at  various  Valley
Reunions; and

  WHEREAS, This fun-loving Buffalonian is also well known for dressing
as St. Patrick in the "Old Neighborhood" parade; and

  WHEREAS, Patrick Dunbar is dedicated to the health and well-being of
his community, serving as coach of the Valley-First Ward Football League
and numerous basketball, football, soccer, softball, and baseball teams;
he  also  helped  organize the Valley Slow Pitch Softball League and the
Buffalo River Fest Softball Tournament; and

  WHEREAS,  For  his  steadfast  and  unremitting  commitment  to  his
community,   Patrick   Dunbar   was  named  the  1994  Valley  Community
Association Volunteer of the Year and the 2015 Buffalo River  Fest  Park
Volunteer of the Year; and

  WHEREAS,  With  him  throughout  have been his wife, the former Joan
Lynch; two daughters, Elizabeth Hays and Emily Banko; one stepson, Marco
Berbonich; and seven grandchildren Hudson, Lilly, Anna, Sylvia,  Wesley,
Lucas  and  Nathan, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his achievements; and

  WHEREAS, Patrick Dunbar has worked tirelessly to  not  only  promote
Irish  culture  but  to  establish  strong  ties between America and the
island of Ireland; and

  WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal for the 27th Annual "Old
Neighborhood" St. Patrick's Day  Parade,  Patrick  Dunbar  embodies  the
spirit  and  the  cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this
great State and Nation; he is a steadfast champion of all  things  Irish
and Irish-American; 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, 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 Patrick Dunbar upon the occasion of  his  designation  as  Grand
Marshal  of  the 27th Annual "Old Neighborhood" St. Patrick's Day Parade
in Buffalo's First Ward; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Patrick Dunbar.