Finger Lakes Today

New York State Senator Pamela Helming received the Daniel O’Connell Award at the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner hosted by the American-Irish Legislators Society of New York. This award, named after the renowned Irish nationalist known as The Liberator and The Emancipator, is presented to a state senator who shows dedication and support for the society's goals.

The American-Irish Legislators Society of New York, established in 1973, is a bipartisan group comprising members of the New York State Legislature. Its mission is to promote Irish culture, strengthen ties between Ireland and New York, and foster fellowship among legislators of Irish descent or those interested in Ireland and the American-Irish community.

Senator Helming expressed her gratitude upon receiving the award: “Our Irish history and culture are full of incredible people like Danny O’Connell. I am very proud and humbled to accept this award in his memory. In my life, I’ve been blessed to be guided by 3 fearless Irish warriors…strong, quiet women who persevered through many challenging ordeals. Through their actions, they taught me the importance of standing up and fighting for those who were suffering or in need.”