New York, NY- Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Honorable Raymond W. Kelly, Police Commissioner of the City of New York, was installed Wednesday evening, Jan. 13, as the Grand Marshal of the 249th annual New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade at ceremonies held at the New York Athletic Club on Central Park South.

Parade Chairman John Dunleavy announced that the 249th St. Patrick’s Day Parade would be dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, an organization that is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2010, a century of teaching responsible citizenship and leadership to its Scouts.

Several well known dignitaries were on hand for the installation ceremonies and they came in support of the Parade, Ray Kelly and his Aides. Dignitaries included Michael Gibbons, the 2009 Grand Marshal; His Eminence Cardinal Edward Egan; U.S. Rep. Peter King; the Hon. Mario Biaggi; the Hon. Naill Burgess, Counsel General of Ireland; Tommy Smyth, the 2008 Grand Marshal; Tom O’Brien of President of NBC New York; Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation John Dougherty; Dr John Lahey President of Quinnipiac University, Rev George Reilly Vice-President Villanova University, and Commissioner of Public Records Brian Anderson

A 40-year veteran of the NYPD, Commissioner Kelly served in 25 different commands before being appointed Police Commissioner by Mayor David N. Dinkins in 199 and was reappointed by Mayor Bloomberg in 2002. Commissioner Kelly is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served three years on active duty, including a combat tour in Vietnam. Kelly is a former senior managing director of global corporate security at Bear Stearns. For accomplishments at the U.S. Customs Service, Commissioner Kelly was awarded the Alexander Hamilton Medal for Exceptional Service. In 2006 Commissioner Kelly was awarded the French government’s highest honor, the Légion d’Honneur.

Commissioner Kelly graduated Archbishop Molloy High School and holds a BBA from Manhattan College, a JD from St. John’s University School of Law, an LLM from New York University Graduate School of Law, and an MPA from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He has been awarded honorary degrees from Marist College, Manhattan College, the College of St. Rose, Quinnipiac College, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Iona College, New York University, St. John's University, Pace University, the Catholic University of America, and the State University of New York.

The Parade Chairman, John Dunleavy, enthusiastically praised last year’s Grand Marshal, “I would like to thank Michael J. Gibbons, the outgoing Grand Marshal, for making the 248th New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade an outstanding success. We especially thank Michael for the wonderful work he did on the Parade’s behalf as last years’ Grand Marshal and for all the support he has provided our Annual Parade in the media and public life over the years.”

“I want to thank you, the Delegates and Members of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, for affording me the opportunity to serve as Chairman of this great Parade. Of Kelly, Dunleavy said, “I would like to congratulate our Grand Marshal, Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and all of the Aides; your selection this evening is acknowledgement for your years of unselfish, dedicated and distinguished service to the community and for outstanding dedication and contribution to Irish Faith, Culture and Heritage.