Trailblazing labor leader John Sameulsen was feted as Irishman of the Year at the The Grand Council of United Emerald Societies annual dinner in Antun’s of Queens Village last week.
"The event was a resounding success for the Emerald Movement and the Irish-American Community," said dinner chairman Brian Sharkey.
Samuelsen (below), the International President of the Transport Workers Union of America, is a proud member of the New York City Transit Authority Emerald Society, Addressing the 500-strong audience, he shared the legacy of the TWU which founded in 1934 by Irish men and women. The union advocates for economic justice for its 155,000 members across various sectors, including airlines, rail, transit, universities, utilities, and tourism.
The program commenced with the MTAPD Ceremonial Unit and the MTAPD Pipes and Drums leading in President Martin Bellew, the 2025 Irishman of the Year, John Samuelsen, the 2024 Irishman of the Year, Honorable Edward T. Cetnar, the 2019 Irishman of the Year, Thomas B. Farrell, and the 2009 Irishman of the Year, Denis Mulcahy. SCPO ES Past President Michael Crowley performed the national anthems of Ireland and the United States of America. NYCD ES Chaplain Father Christopher Heanue led Emerald Society members in the opening prayer.
President Martin Bellew hailed Samuelsen's "deep-seated respect for his Irish heritage as a testament to his desire to represent the best Irish tradition of public service and unionism through his career with the New York Transit Authority and Transport Workers Union of America".
He added: "John is an ambassador for the Emerald Society and the Labor Movement; he epitomizes the spirit of Irish America."
On St Patrick's Day, Samulsen willl serve as Aide to New York St Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal Michael A. Benn.
In his remarks, President Bellew also fondly remembered his late father, Jerry, who was a proud member of TWU Local 100 and the Emerald Society. "The TWU provided a fair wage, benefits, along with civil service protection enabling his family and many others to move into the middle class," he said. FUNDS BOOST: The Emeralds' Cigar Night Committee presents Denis Malachy with a check for $10,000 for the work of Project Children
Queens County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Chairman and the 2025 New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, Michael A. Benn emphasized the significance of Unions and the Emerald Societies. He also highlighted the resurgence of the Emerald Movement, which has been catalyzed by the Grand Council and its affiliated organizations.
Benn is Chairman of the Queens County (Rockaway Beach) Saint Patrick’s Day Parade — the second-largest parade in New York State which will celebrate it's 50th anniversary on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
At the gala dinner, plaques were presented to:
* Glenn F. Lynch (NYPD Emerald Society) - GCUES Aide to the Grand Marshal of the Bayside Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
* Timothy N. Cowen (NYCD Emerald Society) - GCUES Aide to the Grand Marshal of the Brooklyn Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
* Brian J. Sharkey (NYCD Emerald Society) - GCUES Deputy Grand Marshal of the Queens County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
* Kevin J. Murphy (NYPD Emerald Society) - NYPD Aide to the Grand Marshal of the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (Kevin was unable to attend due to illness, and NYPD ES Past President Peter Whalen accepted the plaque on his behalf).
* Thomas Reilly (FDNY Emerald Society) - FDNY Aide to the Grand Marshal of the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
* Father Brendan Fitzgerald (FDNY Emerald Society) - Bronx County Aide to the Grand Marshal of the New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (Father Brendan was unable to attend, and FDNY ES President Patrick McParland accepted the plaque on his behalf). PIPED IN: MTAPD Pipe and Drums leads in Emerald Grand Council President Martin Bellew and guest of honor
A highlight of the evening was a special presentation by the Cigar Night Committee.
Cigar Night Chairman Peter F. Whalen, President Martin Bellew, Matt McCauley, Patrick Finegan (FDNY ES), Don Boyce (Tri-State Benefits) and Joseph A. Romano (Romano at Law), President Patrick McPartland (FDNY ES) presented a check for $10,000 to Project Children and its Chairman, Denis Mulcahy.
Harry Connolly, Executive Director of Fáilte Feirste Thiar (Welcome to West Belfast) and the James Connolly Visitor Center travelled in from Ireland to provided a fulsome introduction for Guest of Honor John Samuelsen.
In his remarks Samuelse honored the legacy of James Connolly, Michael J. Quill, trade unionism, and the TWU, He highlighted several recent successes, most notably, the TWU’s campaign to prevent an American airline from relocating its primary maintenance operation to a South American country. The TWU President also expressed his admiration for his family, emphasizing their proud Irish heritage and his residence in the legendary “Irish” Gerritsen Beach neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.
