2007 NCLEES Meeting

A note from Jim Sanfilippo

NCLEES National Conference Chairperson

The National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies held its 2007 Fall Conference in Milwaukee. For those of us in Wisconsin, the size and scope of Irish Fest is no surprise. We’ve come to appreciate not only all the work that goes into the fest (in part because the Emerald Society of Wisconsin is a major contributor of volunteers) but also we’ve come to expect the finest in Irish music and culture the fest presents. For our guests of the NCLEES this was a totally unexpected treat. The delegates and their families found out what we’ve known for the past 27 years, Milwaukee Irish Fest is the greatest Irish Cultural experience in the US. NCLEES delegates were more than pleasantly surprised by the wide-ranging music and culture they found at Irish Fest.

 We hosted members from the following Emerald Societies (and I am SURE I am going to miss some): San Diego, Los Angles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Omaha, St Louis, New Orleans, Chicago, Indiana Emerald Society, the NEW Indianapolis Emerald Society, Ohio, Philadelphia, Miami, Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, New York Police Emerald Society, NY Corrections Emerald Society, NY Transit Police ES, Nassau County (NY) Police ES, Nassau Co Sheriff ES, New Haven ES, Greater Worcester (MA) Police ES, Irish American Police Officers ES of Massachusetts, Tidewater (VA) ES, New Haven ES, West Haven ES, Minnesota ES, and the Jersey City ES. It is safe to say the entire weekend was a smashing success. I have not heard a single complaint (which is REALLY hard to believe, as cops can ALWAYS find something to complain about). Quite the opposite is true. Everyone I either spoke to or who has contacted me via e-mail, had nothing but praise for our Society and Irish Fest. Every one of our members who volunteered, either at the hotel or on the transports showed our guests what we are made of.

Speaking of our members, I would be more than remiss if I did not mention some of the more prominent people who made the weekend the success it was. With out having to go into exactly what each person did, I am just going to mention their names. We all know just how hard everyone worked, but these people, I think, went above and beyond the call of duty: President Bill Sullivan, President – Elect Pete Fleming and his wife Dawn, Vice President Mary Jo Hughes, and member Kris Pluskota all did a great job. However, in my opinion, the conference and weekend could not have succeeded without the almost Herculean effort of Board of Director member Gary Byers. I can not express in words my thanks to Gary for all the effort and time he put into this event. While most of our members were around at some point during the five days of this event, Gary was there morning, noon, and night. He was around all the time, to the point where, when one of the delegates missed the last bus on Sunday evening, he called Gary, who was going to get out of bed, get dressed, and drive to the grounds to collect him. (Thankfully the fellow stopped Gary and took a cab!)

On Friday at a reception at City Hall, delegates from the NCLEES and ES-WI, along with delegates from Milwaukee Sister – City, Galway and the Archbishop of Ireland, Sean Brady were all honored. While there wasn’t a large agenda for the Saturday business meeting, the speakers were very well received. Our speakers included Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, Milwaukee Chief of Police (and ES-WI Member) Nanette Hegerty, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge (and ES-WI member) Dennis Moroney and City of Milwaukee Alderman (and ES-WI Member) Bob Donovan. Alderman DONOVAN presented NCLEES President Dennis Long with a Common Council Resolution welcoming the NCLEES to Milwaukee. Our final speaker of the day was Anne Melia Regional Tourism Development Officer for Fáilte Ireland West. Anne extended an invitation, on behalf of the Mayor of Galway, to the NCLEES to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Galway in 2009. The Sunday Mass at Irish Fest was well attended by ES-WI and NCLEES members. Approximately 66 members were in attendance (a pretty good number considering how late we were all out the night before and the rain). Archbishop (and ES-WI Chaplain) Timothy Dolan made special mention during his welcoming remarks about the Emerald Society and how we were holding our National Conference in conjunction with Irish Fest.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge our ES-WI members who continued their commitment to Irish Fest. While I did not drive for the first time in forever, many of our members found the time to not only participate in the conference, but also give time at the Fest.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend. And, while the final accounting is not in as of this writing, I can only describe it as an unqualified success. Again Thank You.

Jim Sanfilippo