Grover A. Whalen, 1886-1962.

Known as the official greeter of New York, Whalen served the administration of seven New York City mayors as member, then chair, of the Mayor's Reception Committee from 1918 to 1953. He is credited with inventing the ticker-tape parade up lower Broadway for the 1919 visit of the Prince of Wales. A businessman, Whalen worked without pay for the city in numerous capacities including Police Commissioner, 1928-1930, president of the 1939-1940 World's Fair, chair of the city's Civil Defense Commission during World War II, and chair of the New York City Commission for the United Nations.

The Mayor's Reception Committee was formed in 1918 as the Mayor's Committee for the Reception of Distinguished Guests.