Insect question

While walking my dog in Prospect Park, I have seen many giant bees lately. By giant I mean that they're about 2 inches long. I've never seen them before. They look like a large wasp with the thin waist and black and yellow striped thorax. One landed on my leg and it was carrying what looked to be a large cicada. Anybody know what they are?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_cicada_killer
Usually answer to the name Marmaduke or Gretal.

Thanks modsquad! Now I know why this thing was carrying a cicada. Oh yeah, I got my body parts mixed up. It's the abdomen that's striped.

creep-ola.