Suffolk County Leg. Steve Stern (D-Huntington) 16th LD was honored to present Proclamations to the Deer Park High School Marching Band and Tammy Cotrone, band director, for being selected to represent the State of New York in the 2008 In­dependence Day Parade in Washington D.C., and to honor America's rich musical and cultural heri­tage in our nation's capital. They were selected on the basis of recommendations from state music officials, superior performance ratings and past competition results. The Deer Park High School Marching Band will join government officials, national military units, sponsored floats and other specialty units in this national event and will par­ticipate in the parade on historic Constitution Av­enue in front of an anticipated audience of 450,000 spectators. In addition, they will participate in the laying of an official Military Wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. In order for every band mem­ber to travel to Washington, they held countless fundraisers to help defray the costs of their trip. "The Deer Park High School Marching Falcons continue to demonstrate their exemplary dedica­tion to music education and performance. I am so proud to honor the Deer Park High School March­ing Falcons. They bring great pride to their school, their families and the entire Deer Park communi­ty," Leg. Stern said.