Bill Text: NY K00136 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commending Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the 2019 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-04 - adopted [K00136 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-K00136-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 136 BY: M. of A. Cusick COMMENDING Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the 2019 New York City 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 Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the 2019 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade; and WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious appointment, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer will have the honor of leading the 258th consecutive New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Saturday, March 16, 2019; and WHEREAS, Dr. Brian John O'Dwyer is a native New Yorker who comes from a legendary New York Irish American family; he is the son of the late Paul O'Dwyer, civil rights activist and President of New York City council from 1974 to 1979, and the nephew of The Honorable William O'Dwyer, former Mayor of New York; and WHEREAS, Educated in the New York City public school system, Brian J. O'Dwyer graduated from the High School of Music and Art, now known as LaGuardia High School; he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University and a Masters of Arts degree from Middlebury College in Madrid; and WHEREAS, This extraordinary man went on to earn a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University and a Master's degree in Law from The George Washington University; in July of 2013, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Dublin City University; and WHEREAS, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer is the senior partner at O'Dwyer & Bernstein, LLP, a law firm founded by his father, who immigrated to New York from County Mayo, Ireland; as a son of Irish immigrants, he has been especially active in the American Irish Community and has been a consummate advocate for immigrants' rights; and WHEREAS, As founder of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, the largest Irish immigrant center in the United States, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer has helped thousands of Irish men and women as they immigrated to New York City; and WHEREAS, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Board of the Graduate School of Political Management of The George Washington University, as well as Treasurer of the City University of New York Law School Foundation; and WHEREAS, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer's extensive work in the political arena has concentrated largely on promoting Irish and Irish-American interests; he served as National Chairman of Irish Americans for Clinton-Gore in 1992 and 1996, and Irish-Americans for Gore in 2000; additionally, he was part of the delegation that accompanied President Clinton to Ireland on each of his three trips and served as an advisor to the White House on Irish issues including the peace process; and WHEREAS, Appointed by President Clinton as a Commissioner of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer was awarded the Director Citation for Exemplary Public Service by the White House; in June of 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed him as Commissioner of the United States National Commission for UNESCO; and WHEREAS, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer has worked tirelessly to advance Ireland's causes and business interests in the United States; he presently serves as Chairman of the Irish Chamber of Commerce USA where he works to facilitate American investment in Ireland and Northern Ireland; he also serves as a member of the Board of Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo Ireland; and WHEREAS, The proud recipient of countless awards and accolades for his lifelong work in the causes of Ireland and immigrants, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer was awarded the 2015 Sean MacBride Humanitarian Award by the Ancient Order of Hibernians for his work in the cause of peace, justice, and the economic well-being of the Irish people; and WHEREAS, Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer has also received many recognitions from the Catholic Church, including being named a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre by Edward Cardinal Egan; and WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Marianna, and their two children, Brendan and Kathleen, as well as four grandchildren, Paul, Patrick, Reilly and Hailey, who have all shown him love and support and rejoice in his many achievements; 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 Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the 2019 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Brian J. O'Dwyer.