Westchester Insider: Westchester County Board of Legislators: Press Release: BOARD HONORS HILARY BEIRNE, DENNIS POWER AT IRISH HISTORY AND HERITAGE CELEBRATION.

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 9, 2021

(L to R: Hon. Dennis Power, Chair Ben Boykin, Hilary Beirne, and Leg. Kitley Covill)

 

BOARD HONORS HILARY BEIRNE, DENNIS POWER AT IRISH HISTORY AND HERITAGE CELEBRATION

 

White Plains, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators on Monday celebrated Irish History and Heritage Month, marking the occasion with a special video ceremony honoring two community leaders.

 

Leg. Kitley Covill (D - Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers) presented a proclamation to Hilary Beirne, Chairman of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Foundation and Chief Administration Officer of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Beirne is also a long-time Eastchester High School science teacher.

 

Covill said, "Hilary has been a huge part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City for many, many years.  He also has brought the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade to the 21st Century by making it virtual and actually it is the most watched parade around the world."

 

Beirne said, "I want to thank the Board of Legislators for recognizing not me but the work that I have done for the parade, but more importantly you honor the parade, a 259 year old United States institution. We have survived a war of revolution. We have survived a civil war, World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II, and we will survive this pandemic and 2022 will be just a spectacular parade in New York City."

 

The Board has declared March 10, 2021 Hilary Beirne Day in the County of Westchester.

 

Watch the virtual presentation to Hilary Beirne here: https://vimeo.com/520958877.

 

Chairman Ben Boykin (D - White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison) presented a proclamation honoring Dennis J. Power.

 

Power has had a long career in public service, including serving on the White Plains Common Council, coordinating environmental efforts for the County Department of Environmental Facilities, working as director of development and communications for the County’s oldest and largest provider of services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families, and working on behalf of the homeless as Executive Director of WESTHelp Greenburgh and founder of SHORE -- Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility.

 

Most recently he served as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Board of Legislators.  But Power has also been in the forefront of Irish American cultural life in Westchester including as founder of the Friendly Gathering in White Plains in 1988, which went on to become the largest Irish Sing-Along in Westchester, celebrating Irish music and culture and raising funds for small nonprofits.

 

Boykin said, "Dennis has been a leader and a public servant for the people of Westchester who has been ahead of his time for more than 30 years. He is already the recipient of many, well-deserved honors for his community service, but I know the honor we're bestowing on him tonight will stand out, because we're honoring him as part of our celebration of Westchester County's Irish American Heritage.

 

Power said, "In many of the old Irish ballads there's a deep sense of sadness as folks battled famine, sickness and war but there's usually a strong feeling of hope as well.  That kind of hope I feel in these storied chambers of the Board. Through the hard work and sweat of everyone on the 8th floor, you are keeping the ship moving forward."

 

The Board has declared March 9, 2021 Dennis J. Power Day in the County of Westchester.

 

Watch the virtual presentation to Dennis Power here: https://vimeo.com/520957431.

 

Read a program for Monday night’s event at:

https://www.westchesterlegislators.com/images/Newsroom/2021/2021_IHM_Program.pdf