[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E498-E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE BROOKLYN IRISH-AMERICAN PARADE COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to pay 
tribute to the Brooklyn Irish-American Parade Committee on the occasion 
of it's 24th Annual Brooklyn Irish-American Parade.
  The Brooklyn Irish-American Parade highlights the cultural, education 
and historical accomplishments and contributions of Brooklyn's Irish-
American community. The Annual Brooklyn Irish-American Parade serves as 
a celebration of Brooklyn's cultural diversity and richness and 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 all Americans. The Spirit of '76 was, and still is, 
the ideal of the Brooklyn Irish-American Parade.
  The Parade Committee, it's officers and members, continue the 
memorialization of ``The Great Famine'' (An Gorta Mor) which caused the 
deaths of over 1,500,000 people in Ireland and tens of thousands as 
they traveled to America. During ``The Great Famine'', over 1,000,000 
of Erin's sons and daughters emigrated to the United States through the 
port of New York.

[[Page E499]]

  The theme of this year's Parade is Wolfe Tone and The Good Friday 
Peace Accords. Wolfe Tone was an Irish Patriot and founder of the 
Society of the United Irishman, whose vision of Ireland was neither 
North nor South, neither Protestant nor Catholic, but one Ireland 
United and Free. The Good Friday Peace Accords, which were 
overwhelmingly supported by the people of the North and South, gave new 
hope for an end to sectarian violence and a peaceful resolution of 
political and social differences. The members of the Brooklyn Irish-
American Parade Committee salutes with gratitude all the peacemakers 
who secured these accords for the people of Ireland, especially the 
untiring negotiations of former United States Senator George Mitchell.
  This year's parade is dedicated to the memories of Johanna Cronin 
McAvey of County Cork, a founder of the Brooklyn Irish-American Parade 
Committee; Past Grand Marshals Paul O'Dwyer and Patrick McGowan, Past 
Aides to Grand Marshals Maureen Glynn Connolly, Tom Doherty, Eugene 
Reilly and Irene Stevens.
  The Grand Marshal for the 24th Annual Parade is Sister Mary Rose 
McGeady, D.C., President and Chief Executive Officer of Covenant House 
who has dedicated her life to homeless children and their families. 
Sister McGeady has long been known as an innovator and beacon of good 
will to all those whose lives she has touched.
  The Grand Marshall, her Aides Robert Hanley (Irish Culture) Pipe 
Major NYC Correction Department Pipe Band; Jane Murphy Parchinsky, 
Ladies AOH Kings County Board and Division 17; James Boyle (Irish 
Business) Snook Inn & Green Isle Inn; Bettyanne McDonough (Education) 
Emerald Society Board of Education; Patrick W. Johnson (Kings County 
AOH & Division 22); Geraldine McCluskey Lavery (Gaelic Sports/Young 
Irelands Camogie Team); Thomas Daniel Duffy (Grand Council, United 
Emerald Societies/Housing Authority); Parade Chairperson Kathleen 
McDonagh; Dance Chairperson Charlie O'Donnell; Journal Chairperson 
James McDonagh; Raffle Chairperson Eileen Fallon; Parade Officers, 
Members and all the citizens of Brooklyn, have joined together to 
participate in this important and memorable event.
  In recognition of their many accomplishments on behalf of my 
constituents, I offer my congratulations and thanks to the Grand 
Marshall, her Aides, the Parade Officers and members of the Brooklyn 
Irish-American Parade Committee on the occasion of the Brooklyn Irish-
American Parade Committee's 24th Annual Brooklyn Irish-American Parade.

                          ____________________