October 19, 2020 / Mahopac – Assemblyman Byrne hosted his annual Presidents’ Day Dinner earlier this month at Primavera Restaurant on Tuesday October 12th with special guest speaker GOPAC Chairman David Avella honoring Somers Town Supervisor Rick Morrissey & former state Senator Terrence Senator Murphy. Due to state pandemic restrictions earlier in the year the Assemblyman’s campaign was unable to celebrate the event the week of Presidents’ Day in February, but still elected to hold the event to honor these two remarkable public servants. The event attracted over 100 supporters from the the surrounding Putnam & Westchester county region.
Assemblyman Byrne said “I have been privileged to serve with a lot of great elected leaders over the years, and these two gentlemen are at the top of the list. Terrence Murphy and I passed legislation together, stood up for every day working families, and battled against burdensome regulations and other harmful policies from Albany. Rick Morrissey and I partnered together to help fight the opioid epidemic, pass state legislation to assist the town’s workforce, and more. These two individuals have stood out as leaders in their own respective communities and I’m grateful that they permitted me the pleasure of recognizing them as our 2021 President’s Day Dinner honorees.”
Rick Morrissey is completing his final term as Somers Town Supervisor and has an over 40-year distinguished career in public service that includes serving as Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Health with the Westchester County Health Department, four years on the town board, and four terms as Somers’ Chief Executive Officer. As supervisor, Morrissey spearheaded many initiatives that not only protected taxpayers but welcomed new businesses, created jobs, and improved the livelihood of Somers residents. The Town of Somers recently was upgraded to an AAA bond rating by Moody’s and is in a position to thrive for years to come thanks to Supervisor Morrissey and his colleagues on the town board.
Terrence Murphy, most notably known for his two terms as the region’s state Senator, grew up as part of a large Irish-American family in Yorktown Heights and as a proud son of a union leader who worked at Con Edison. Terrence developed a thriving career in medicine as a chiropractor in Westchester County where he owned his own business and volunteered in the community. He served numerous terms in local government as a town councilman before serving two terms in the New York State Senate. As senator, Terrence Murphy introduced and passed landmark legislation that honored and supported veterans, combatted the opioid epidemic, protected taxpayers, and more… All while standing up for working men and women across the Hudson Valley.
GOPAC Chairman David Avella provided a keynote speech where he touched on a large array of national, state and local issues. He highlighted the importance of talented, principled public servants like the two honorees as well as Assemblyman Byrne who was named one of GOPAC’s emerging leaders in 2020. Avella also recalled working with Terrence Murphy during his time in the Senate where they viewed him as another great leader in the Republican party in New York. Mr. Avella is commonly known for his frequent appearances on Fox News, as well as his appearances on other programs on CBS, MSNBC, CNN, PBS, and HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. As Chairman of GOPAC, Avella leads the organization that continues to serve as the Republican Party’s premier center for educating and electing a new generation of Republican leaders.
Last year, prior to the pandemic, Assemblyman Byrne’s dinner featured former Governor George Pataki as a keynote speaker and honored former Assemblyman and Chairman of Ways & Means, Will Stephens, Sr. This year’s event also brought a tremendous amount success attracting a surprise visit from Dutchess County Executive & Congressional Candidate Marc Molinaro, as well as over 100 other supporters.
