LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating John J. O'Grady upon the occasion
of receiving the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout, the most prestigious
of Scouting honors, on April 6, 2014

WHEREAS, John J. O'Grady, through his diligence and rigorous efforts,
has achieved Scouting's highest and most prestigious rank, Eagle Scout;
the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2014,
at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, New York; and
WHEREAS, John J. O'Grady is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop
87, Uniondale, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, John J. O'Grady joined Scouting as a Cub Scout in
the Our Lady of Victory Parish Troop 678, in Floral Park, New York, and
entered Boy Scouting in 2007 with the same troop; he continued Scouting
in sixth grade as a member of Kellenberg Troop 87; and
WHEREAS, Advancing through the ranks of Scouting, John J. O'Grady has
received Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class Scout, First Class Scout, Star
Scout, and Life Scout, before receiving the rank of Eagle Scout; and
WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and
WHEREAS, The Boy Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to
the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation;
and
WHEREAS, The highest achievement of leadership in Scouting, earned by
only five percent of all Boy Scouts, is the distinguished rank of Eagle
Scout; and
WHEREAS, This outstanding young man has been involved in Scouting for
many years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all of
the necessary achievements, including completion of a community service
project, which was successfully planned, developed and executed; and
WHEREAS, For his project, John J. O'Grady refurbished the courtyard
between the school parking lot and the convent at Our Lady of Victory
School in Floral Park; accompanied by a crew of scouts and friends, he
renovated a flower bed around the statue of St. Joseph, replacing brick
with slate rock, filling it in with dirt, and planting flowers in the
bed; he also built slate rock flower beds around two of the trees and
planted flowers within them, repaired the fence and rock wall separating
the courtyard from the parking lot, and established a place for passers-
by to sit and rest; and
WHEREAS, In addition to these renovations, John J. O'Grady repaired
the brick stairs leading to the convent door; his goal of the project
was reparation, beautification, and the creation of a place of contem-
plation for anyone who chooses to spend time in the courtyard; and
WHEREAS, John J. O'Grady's perseverance in rising through the ranks to
Eagle Scout is a strong indication of his ability to master difficult
tasks; his accomplishment will enable him to emerge as a leader, fully
equipped to meet the challenges of today's complex society; and
WHEREAS, This new Eagle Scout is a credit to his family, his school,
his community, his State and his Nation, and no doubt his future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor John J. O'Grady on achieving the rank of Eagle
Scout; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John J. O'Grady.