NEW YORK STATE BOARD 

JOHN HENNESSY AWARDED BURNS-HAYES AWARD

John Hennessy, currently New York State Immediate Past President NY State Board has been chosen to receive the highest honor bestowed by the New York State AOH, the Burns-Hayes award. John was chosen because he exemplifies the high ideals of our Nobel Order and has made the causes of the Ancient Order of Hibernians his life’s work.
John is a charter member of the Father Murphy of Boolavogue Division 9 of Suffolk County. He is currently serving his 12th term as Treasurer of that Division. For the past 40 years, John has been an active Hibernian, holding all elected Offices at the Division, County, and State level. National President Jack Meehan appointed him National Protocol Chairman.
John is also Co-Treasurer of the Long Island Feis for over 29 years and is an active member of the Tara Court Major Degree Team of Suffolk County.
Hennessy served as Chairman of the New York State Conventions in 1993 and 1999, was Aide to the Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1991, was named the First Hibernian of the Year by Suffolk County in 1992. In 2002 he was awarded National Life Membership.
John served in the U.S. Navy for three years and holds a B.S. degree in Business and a M.S. degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from New York Institute of Technology.
He resides in Deer Park, Suffolk County, with his lovely wife Margaret. They have three daughters, Sharon, Patricia, and Theresa living locally, while their other daughter Rosemary, son-in law Chad, and three grandchildren Amanda, Matthew and Andrew reside in Winchester, Virginia.
John and Margaret are parishioners of St. Matthews’s parish in Dix Hills. He is retired from a local utility Company and is presently a part-time tax preparer, and a full time Hibernian.
 

June 20, 2008

TO: All Division and County Presidents and State Officers
FROM: NYS AOH President, Matt Nelligan

Brothers:
As you are aware, the New York State Board began raising money for our National Convention reimbursement fund this past February. I am happy to report that our efforts have proved very successful. While, there may be a few checks still outstanding, I can say with confidence that we have raised $9,000 in this effort. I am very proud of each of you and of your collective efforts on our behalf. I would also like to personally thank the Chairmen of our three fundraising efforts: State Treasurer Jim Burke, who ran a concert on Long Island in February which was very successful and kicked off our campaign. State Vice-President Chip McLean led our jumbo raffle effort that began in October and lasted until June. Finally Bob Flaherty, our District One Director who co-chaired our final fundraising event at the Schenectady AOH Hall on June 12th. I am personally indebted to each of these brothers for their efforts on behalf of the New York State Board.
Taking the money available for the reimbursement fund and dividing it by the total possible number of delegates to the National Convention, we will be able to reimburse all local delegates a MINIMUM of $70 per person. We are setting the amount as a minimum because we will not truly know the number that will actually vote at the convention until, we arrive in New Orleans. What follows are the rules and procedures to receive reimbursement from the New York State Board. You must follow these procedures closely in order to receive a check.
1) Only local delegates are eligible for this program. No New York State Delegate may apply for reimbursement.
2) Delegates seeking reimbursement must send the detached portion of their delegate-seating card, to the New York State Secretary Mike McNabb, at 9 Throop Ave, Auburn NY 13021. All requests must be submitted by September 1st, 2008 in order to be considered.
3) Reimbursement checks will NOT be written to local jurisdictions. They will be written directly to the delegate. If a local jurisdiction has paid for the delegate’s expenses and feels that it should receive this check, then the County or Division involved should adopt a policy in that regard and ensure that the check is signed over to them.
4) Please remember that the $70 amount set out above is a minimum and may be increased depending upon the circumstances. It WILL NOT be decreased.
5) Should any money be left over from this fund, after all reimbursement checks have been written, the remainder will be retained in our Convention Fund, to be used toward delegate expenses for future National Conventions.

It is important that we remember that there are four brothers form our State who are seeking National office at the New Orleans Convention, they are: Brendan Moore-National Vice-President, Tom McNabb-National Secretary and Martin Kelly and John Hennessy for two of the six National Director Slots. We have also endorsed Seamus Boyle of Pennsylvania for the office of National President. We have endorsed these brothers, not because of political or regional concerns, but because they are the best qualified to lead our Order for the next two years. We will also consider candidates for the other National positions at our Caucus in New Orleans, which will take place on Friday July 25th after the close of the General Business session in the main room. Please make every effort to be there. Make no mistake; this is the most important national election that we have faced in recent years. It is vital that our team is successful.
Finally, I want to remind all of you to submit your delegates and alternates to the National Secretary immediately, Please also make sure that these forms are signed off on by the County/Division President and Secretary. There have been suggestions made by some that if delegates are not submitted by the time required that they should not be allowed to vote at our National Convention and that somehow that creates a “level playing field”. Personally I do not consider any attempt to disenfranchise voters who are members in good standing legitimate, nor does it level the playing field. That being said, we must make every effort to submit our delegates and alternates now, so that it is assured that ALL votes will be counted.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at i2000@hibernians.com or 518-729-4563.

Yours in Our Motto,

Matt Nelligan
NYS AOH President
 

 NYS Board JUMBO RAFFLE

was held as announced on Thurs. night in the

Schenectady AOH Hall at the State Board Fundraiser.

The WINNERS are as follows:

1st Prize $5,000.00:
Louis Jones Nanuet, NY
Sold By: Paul O' Malley (receives $200 sellers prize)

2nd Prize $1,000.00:
Emily Nelligan (daughter of Matt), Albany,NY
Sold By: Matt Nelligan (donates $100 sellers prize back)

3rd Prize $1,000.00:
Neil O'Reirdan
Sold By: Dennis Browne (receives $100 sellers prize)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the various Divisions & County Boards throughout our state who supported this raffle. I would also like to thank the individual members who put a big push on to get these tickets sold as well as the District Directors and State Board members who heeded our request and sold their individual quotas. Your work as always is much appreciated and really paid off.

"On to New Orleans.....and Victory for our ticket" !!

As always may God Bless you and your families and have a safe summer.

Yours in our motto of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,

Chip McLean

Vice-President
NYS Board AOH
 

NYS Ancient Order of Hibernians Opposes Gov. Paterson’s
Call to Recognize Same-Sex Marriages
 

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 31, 2008) – New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) President Matt Nelligan today stated that the State’s AOH “is strongly opposed to New York Gov. David Paterson’s administrative action that calls for state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.”
Mr. Nelligan’s statement is in reaction to a memo issued by Gov Paterson on May 14.
“New York’s AOH members see this action as an attack on traditional Catholic values based on the belief that marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman,” Mr. Nelligan said.
“Same-sex unions,” Mr. Nelligan continued, “contradict Church teaching that the nature of marriage is based on the natural complements of man and woman, united in union to create new life.”
"In addition to being an affront to our Church,” Mr. Nelligan said, “the Governor's actions -- taken behind closed doors in near secrecy and without legislative approval --
show his contempt for our democratic system of government and our State constitution. It is sad that Gov. Patterson has allowed himself to be held hostage by the radical agenda of a few activists while ignoring the clear will of the majority of the people of New York State."
The AOH is the oldest Catholic lay organization in the United States, formed in 1836 for the purpose of defending Gaelic values and protecting the Catholic Church and its clergy.

ABOUT THE AOH
The name AOH can only be traced back to 1641, the organization can claim continuity of purpose and its motto, “Friendship, Unity, and True Christian Charity,” back to the organization known as the Defenders of 1565.
The AOH in America is organized into divisions, county boards, and state boards, and is governed by a national board. Annual dances, concerts and parades sponsored by all levels of the AOH raise millions for charity, while providing a showcase for the positive contributions of the Irish to every walk of American life.
 

NEW YORK STATE PRESIDENT MATT NELLIGAN

NYS President Matt Nelligan has been named one of Irish Americas 40 Under 40 by The Irish Echo.
Those chosen for the honor are considered to be the up and coming leaders of Irish America, coming from a wide variety of fields – from music to computer programming.
"This generation of young Irish and Irish American high-achievers has set the bar higher than ever in terms of accomplishment and endeavor," said Irish Echo Editor Ray O'Hanlon. "We wanted our list of winners to be inclusive and diverse spanning the entire nation and encompassing as many different fields as possible," said Mr. O'Hanlon.
“It is a singular honor to be recognized as a part of The Irish Echo's 40 Under 40 program,” Mr Nelligan said. “As with the other honors that I have received, it is more of a testament to the greatness of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the hard work of our membership, than it is to any personal achievement. This is just the latest example of the fact that our organization has given me far more than I have been able to give back to it,” he said.
Mr. Nelligan will join his fellow winners on February 27 as guests of honor at the Manhattan Club, hosted by Irish Consul General Niall Burgess.
Based in New York City and founded in 1928, The Irish Echo is the largest circulation Irish-American weekly newspaper in the United States. www.irishecho.com.
 

OFFICE OF THE STATE PRESIDENT

Matt Nelligan
42 East Parkwood St
Albany NY 12203

December 3, 2007

Brothers:

Over the last several years, some confusion has developed around our State in regard to the criteria that should be used in terms of selecting parade Grand Marshals as well as other honorees for public awards presented by our Order. On most issues, the State Board is happy to leave the criteria for judging who is worthy and who is not to divisions and county boards. However, I want to be absolutely crystal clear on one requirement. No person can be selected as a parade grand marshal or aide or given any public honor if they take positions that are the antithesis of our Catholic Faith and beliefs. This is particularly true of anyone who is in favor of abortion, embryonic stem cell research and/or same sex marriage. Therefore, you must pay particularly close attention to the voting records and public statements of elected officials who are being considered as honorees. Of course these criteria apply to private or public citizens, and yet, with elected officials we have the benefit of a public record. This public record cannot be ignored.
There are some that would ask, the question “What if someone has assisted us with cultural grants or on other Irish related issues, can’t we honor those individuals?” While it is tempting to honor someone for one part of their record and ignore the rest, Hibernians have a higher obligation. The basic issue of human life and support of traditional families outweighs any monetary or other support that a person might bring to the table. Remember when you put someone in front of a Hibernian sponsored parade or gathering, you are showing them as an example of the values and beliefs of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Individuals who do not stand up for the sanctity of life and traditional family can never be such examples.

I have also heard some argue that people’s public pronouncements should be overlooked because the person in question is a member of a parish and attends church or is simply doing what his or her constituents want. This is of course a ridiculous defense. People should never be honored for hypocrisy, and attending church on Sunday and opposing the church the other six days a week does not qualify you as worthy of being honored by this Order. Also, we do not elect delegates to public office, we elect representatives. A delegate is required to do what a majority of his or her constituents want, a representative is not. Representatives are empowered to make judgments about public policy issues based upon their values and experience, independent from their constituents. It is the hallmark of a true leader to be able to convince ones constituents that what you stand for is in fact right, rather than bowing to what is easy and popular, so you can continue to collect a government paycheck.

Let me close by laying out my expectations for anyone given a public honor by our organization from this point forward:
1) No one who is in favor of abortion, embryonic stem cell research and/or same-sex marriage can be honored.
2) You are encouraged to speak with and pray for, any member of our Order who holds such views. However, we are not requiring or implying that any action be taken against someone’s membership as a result of this. They simply cannot be held out as examples for the public as the best that Hibernianism has to offer.
3) We must continue to work with public officials on the many areas of concern for our Order, including immigration and a Free and United Ireland. There is a difference between meeting with and working with someone on areas of mutual concern and honoring them.
4) If a parade or any other organization that the AOH is a part of but not in control of chooses to honor someone that does not meet this criterion, it is expected that Hibernian representatives will oppose such a move.
5) Any jurisdiction that selects recipients for any Hibernian award or honor, should have a screening committee in place that reviews all candidates for awards of the Order. No nominee can even be considered unless it has been ascertained that the person meets the criteria outlined in this letter.
6) If there are questions in regard to an individuals record or suitability as an honoree you are strongly encouraged to contact this office before deciding to honor that person and announcing it publicly.

We cannot go back and fix errors that may have been made in the past. All we can do is move in the right direction now. You are a part of the greatest fraternal organization in the world. Your decision to honor someone is a very important matter. Do not take it lightly.

Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,

Matt Nelligan
New York State President
Ancient Order of Hibernians
 

                                        SAME SEX MARRIAGES                                        

 Brother Hibernians:

As you may know, or are not aware of, there are two bills currently before our New York State Senate which would allow SAME SEX MARRIAGES in New York State. Bill S5994 which permits this union, and Bill S5884 presented by Governor Spitzer in his program does the same.
Needless to say, that both bills are opposed by the Catholic Conference of Bishops. We as members should have a voice present in the Senate on these issues. As Brothers of the Faith we should oppose these bills, as it undermines the values that are set forth in our religious conviction. “The Catholic Church teaches that we treat our homosexual sisters and brothers with dignity and love. However, marriage is not some political term that can be re-imagined or redefined according to the whims of popular culture”, as said by the New York State Catholic Conference. Governor Spitzer has been listening to such people as entertainer Rosie O’Donnell who support gay marriage, while the rest of the state opposes it by 56%. Our Senate should be aware of the position we stand for, as members of this noble Fraternal Order of Hibernians.
With that said I’m enclosing a petition to have your members sign in good conscience. Don’t let the whims of a few undermine our sacred values. PLEASE, as soon as possible, and before October 1st, return the petition to me so that I may physically present it to our New York State Senate. Send to: Daniel Case, Box 147, Baldwinsville NY 13027.

I remain your Brother in the faith,
Daniel Case
Catholic Action Chairman
NY State Board AOH
 

For a listing of the positions, please go to this location.

http://www.nyaoh.com/Officers.htm