LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John T. Ahern upon the occasion of his
designation as Grand Marshal of the New York City 2014 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 dili-
gently 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 honor John
T. Ahern upon the occasion of his designation as Grand Marshal of the
New York City 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade; and
WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of this most prestigious appointment John
T. Ahern will have the honor of leading the 253rd consecutive New York
City St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Monday, March 17, 2014;
and
WHEREAS, New York City St. Patrick's Parade marched for the first time
in 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed in
Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Parade is regarded as
the most popular of all the Parades in New York City, and honors Saint
Patrick - the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York and Ireland;
and
WHEREAS, The New York Parade consists only of marchers and each year
hosts some 250,000 marchers and two million spectators; the Parade has
many outstanding marching bands, bagpipers in marching formations, high
school and college bands from throughout the United States and from all
over the world; and
WHEREAS, John (Jack) T. Ahern was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jack
and Margaret Ahern from County Cork; he is the oldest of four children
and is very proud of his Irish heritage; and
WHEREAS, Jack Ahern was educated at Holy Cross Elementary School,
Nazareth High School and Brooklyn College; he is the elected Business
Manager and Financial Secretary of the International Union of Operating
Engineers (IUOE) Local 30, a position he has held since 1999; and
WHEREAS, Jack Ahern began his service with IUOE Local 30 in 1974, as
an apprentice, and rose steadily within the New York based mechanical
and engineering workers' union; as the leader of the IUOE Local 30, he
has successfully negotiated hundreds of strong wage and benefit
contracts on behalf of the 4,500 plus Local 30 members; and
WHEREAS, Jack Ahern serves as Chairman of the Trustees for the Inter-
national Union of Operating Engineers, and as Trustee of the IUOE North-
eastern Conference; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Jack Ahern serves as Vice-Chairperson of the New
York City Municipal Labor Committee, Executive Board member of the New
York Building Congress, and is a member of the Board of Trustees for
Molloy College; 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, A fitting choice for Grand Marshal for the New York City St.
Patrick's Day Parade, Jack Ahern embodies the spirit and the cherished
ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
honor John T. Ahern upon the occasion of his designation as Grand
Marshal of the New York City 2014 St. Patrick's Day Parade; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John T. Ahern.