27 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO HOSTS ANNUAL ESSEX COUNTY IRISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION State Senator John F. McKeon Honored as Irishman of the Year Hyacinth AIDS Foundation Executive Director Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien Honored as Irishwoman of the Year
Published on March 27, 2024
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. hosted the Annual Essex County Irish Heritage Celebration on Tuesday, March 26th. During the afternoon ceremony, the County Executive recognized NJ State Senator John F. McKeon as the 2024 Essex County Irishman of the Year and Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, Executive Director of Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, as the 2024 Essex County Irishwoman of the Year. The Irish Heritage event recognizes the impact Irish men and women have had on the cultural, civic, political, law enforcement and economic history of the County.
“I have always said that the strength of Essex County lies in the diversity of the people living and working within our borders. This diversity stems throughout every corner of the county and highlighting the contributions that each ethnicity has had on our economy, culture and history are part of what creates our sense of community,” DiVincenzo said. “John McKeon and Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien have helped shape the quality of life in our County through their leadership and civic involvement. We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and the positive impact they have had,” he added.
John F. McKeon currently serves as the Senator representing the 27th Legislative District and is Vice-Chair of the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee and member of the Environment and Energy and Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committees. McKeon is a former Chairman of the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee and the Assembly Judiciary Committee, served as the Chairman of Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee and as a member of the Budget Committee and the Environment and Solid Waste Committee. His previous leadership positions in the Assembly have included time as Deputy Speaker, Majority Whip, Assistant Majority Leader, and Assistant Majority Whip. He was first elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 2001, where he served until being sworn in as a member of the State Senate in 202. From 1998-2010, he served as Mayor of West Orange and was a member of the West Orange Town Council from 1992-1998.
McKeon is one of the state’s leading legislative advocates for protecting New Jersey’s environment and has been on the forefront of many issues, such as criminalizing racial profiling and authorizing funding for stem cell research. He sponsored the New Jersey Smoke Free Act, which bans smoking in indoor spaces, has championed tort reform, and authored a law that requires newly constructed affordable housing units, also known as “Mt. Laurel Units,” to be built for adaptable use by physically disabled persons and the elderly. In 2007, he sponsored a bill that capped local property tax increases at 4 percent per year and, in 2010 he sponsored the law that reduced this cap even further to 2 percent. He is seen as a leader on equality issues, with his sponsorship of the Domestic Partnership Act, New Jersey’s Civil Union Law, and the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights. One of his proudest achievements is his celebrated 2008 organ donation legislation, also known as the “New Jersey Hero Act,” which amongst other stipulations, requires residents to make organ donation decisions before applying for a driver’s license.
“I respect you so much, Mr. County Executive, and I look forward to what we can continue to accomplish for Essex County in partnership,” McKeon said. The State Senator spoke about his grandfather, John Frances Xavier McKeon, who came to the United States with his mother when he was 2. “My grandfather inspired me that public service is a noble thing and can make a difference in people’s lives,” he added.
Kathy Ahearn-O’Brien, Executive Director of Hyacinth AIDS Foundation in New Brunswick, is a seasoned executive with experience in both the not-for-profit and for-profit environments. Prior to being named Executive Director in March 2009, she served as member of the senior staff for over 10 years and was instrumental in strategic conversations which pertained to client services, prevention and public policy, the cornerstones of Hyacinth’s mission. She is the Co-Chair of New Jersey’s Task Force to End the HIV Epidemic. Ahearn-O’Brien is the appointed Co-Chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board, tasked with advising the County Executive on issues relative to the LGBTQ population for residents, employees, and visitors of the County. She served as a member of the board of the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition from 2000 until 2009 and served as a board member of Lambda Families of New Jersey (one of NJ’s earliest LGBTQ family groups) from 1993-1999. She earned her master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark.
“I have been involved with the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board since its inception and what I most appreciate is that the County Executive wants everyone to be their authentic self and that it is welcomed and celebrated,” Ahearn-O’Brien said when accepting her award.
The entertainment was provided by Paul Byrne and Amy Bashara. Bagpiper Joseph McGonigal started the ceremony with a performance. The invocation was presented by Father Ed Leahy, Headmaster of St. Benedict’s in Newark and President of the Essex County Schools of Technology Board of Education. Recordings of the late James Mooney singing the National Anthem and the Irish national anthem were played.
Essex County’s Annual Irish Heritage Celebration is one of several cultural observances hosted by the Essex County Executive and the Essex County Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action. The events are held to raise awareness about the rich ethnic diversity and backgrounds of County employees.