[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE BROOKLYN IRISH-AMERICAN PARADE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 1998

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following: Whereas, The 
Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee's organization and purpose is 
to honor the cultural, educational and historical contributions and 
accomplishments of the Irish to their community, borough, city, state 
and nation; and
  Whereas, This parade encourages a knowledge and appreciation of an 
ancient Irish heritage; and
  Whereas, This annual event is a celebration of Brooklyn's cultural 
diversity and richness; and
  Whereas, This parade takes place in historic Park Slope on the 
hallowed ground of the Battle of Brooklyn and commemorates the 
Marylanders, Irish Freedom Fighters and Americans of other ethnic 
backgrounds who gave their lives to secure independence for our 
America; and
  Whereas, The Spirit of '76 was, and still is, the ideal of the 
Brooklyn Irish American Parade; and
  Whereas, This year's parade is dedicated to the memory of Patrick 
Heaney, Drum Major of the Clann Eireann Pipe Band of Brooklyn, for over 
forty years, and who was a loyal supporter of the Committee; and
  Whereas, This year's Parade Theme is the bicentennial of the 
``Rebellion of 1798'' when 100,000 Irish men, women and children, with 
inspiration from the American Revolution, rose up with bare hands and 
pitch forks to overthrow British occupation and oppression; and
  Whereas, This year the Parade continues the memorialization of the 
Great Famine (1845-1850), when hunger and starvation devastated Ireland 
and its people with estimates of a million and a half who perished in 
Ireland, on coffin ships and in the fever sheds; and
  Whereas, The memory of the victims and survivors of when Ireland 
starved is sacred and never to be forgotten; and
  Whereas, ``The Great Famine'' brought one million of Erin's sons and 
daughters to the port of New York; and
  Whereas, It is only fitting that this year's Grand Marshal is William 
W. Whelan, President of New York City Fire Department Emerald Society 
and Chairman of the Great Hunger Memorial to be erected at Battery 
Park, New York in memory of the victims and survivors of ``AN GORTA 
MOR'', now, therefore, be it
  Resolved, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to 
commend the Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee on its twenty 
third Annual Parade to be held on Sunday March 15, 1998; its Grand 
Marshal, William W. Whelan, and his Aides, Sister Elizabeth Hill, 
President of St. Joseph's College and Educator; Richie O'Shea, Band 
Leader representing Irish Culture; James Buckley representing Irish 
Business, Buckleys of Flatbush and Kennedys of Breezy Point; Frank 
Carroll, President of the United Irish Counties of New York; Mildred 
Kane representing Kings County Ladies A.O.H.; Michael Fitzgerald, 
President of Brooklyn's Shamrocks Gaelic Sports Club; Alfred F. 
Donohue, Kings County A.O.H.; Special Parade Honoree: Heinz M. Popp, 
President of Bay Ridge Car World and 1998 Benefactor to the Irish 
Community of New York; Parade Chairperson, Kathleen McDonagh; Dance 
Chairperson, Mary McMullan; Journal Chairperson, James McDonagh; Raffle 
Chairperson, Helen O'Shea; Parade Officers, Members and all the 
citizens of Brooklyn, participating in this important and memorable 
event; and be it further
  Resolved, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be 
transmitted to William W. Whelan, his Aides and the Brooklyn Irish 
American Parade Committee in Brooklyn.

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