LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Stephen J. Cassidy upon the occasion of
his selection as Grand Marshal of the 40th Annual Queens County St.
Patrick's Day Parade on March 7, 2015

WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is a time for people of all nationalities and
generations to assemble and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of
the Irish people throughout these United States; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day Parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland, and highlights the many
contributions and historical accomplishments of the Irish community in
this diverse land; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Stephen J.
Cassidy upon the occasion of his selection as Grand Marshal of the 40th
Annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade, to be celebrated on
Saturday, March 7, 2015, at Rockaway Park, Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, Stephen J. Cassidy is the President of the Uniformed Fire-
fighters' Association (UFA), the nation's largest local firefighters'
union; he is responsible for representing the needs and identifying the
critical issues affecting 9,000 active and 13,800 retired New York City
firefighters; he is further tasked with ensuring the health and safety
of these brave men and women who protect eight million New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Born of a proud Irish heritage, this dedicated leader spent
much of his career with Engine Company No. 236 in the East New York
section of Brooklyn, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York
City; it was here he developed his passion for advocating for the rights
of his fellow firefighters; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, Stephen J. Cassidy was elected President of the UFA
after proudly serving as one of New York's Bravest for over 15 years; he
holds the unique distinction of being the only UFA President to ever be
elected directly from the field; and
WHEREAS, In addition to tirelessly fulfilling his duties as President,
Stephen J. Cassidy serves on the FDNY Pension Board, and is Treasurer of
the Municipal Labor Committee, an organization which negotiates and
provides health care benefits for all New York City municipal unions;
and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Stephen J. Cassidy serves as a Vice President on
the Executive Board of the NYC Central Labor Council, a nonprofit labor
membership organization devoted to supporting, advancing, and advocating
for the working people of New York City; and
WHEREAS, Stephen J. Cassidy has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Stephen J. Cassidy is the Chairman of both the UFA
Widows' and Children's Fund and the Thomas R. Elsasser Fund which
continues to actively support the families of firefighters who die in
both the line of duty and in non-line-of-duty incidents; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Stephen J. Cassidy was appointed to the National
Advisory Council, and the following year was selected by President
George W. Bush to serve as a member of the Medal of Valor Review Board
(Firefighting) for a term of four years; and
WHEREAS, A frequent contributor to many media publications, including
THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS and THE NEW YORK POST, Stephen J. Cassidy also
appears regularly in public, and on television and radio to advocate for
the rights of firefighters; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Stephen J. Cassidy has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Theresa, and their
two children, Rachel and Raymond, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Stephen J. Cassidy truly embodies the spirit and the cher-
ished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great State and
nation; 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
honor Stephen J. Cassidy upon the occasion of his selection as Grand
Marshal of the 40th Annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Stephen J. Cassidy.