2009-J3826
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Patti Wertz Graham upon the occasion of
her induction into the Bishop Kearney High School Hall of Fame on March
5, 2010
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
who have inspired and brought pride to our majestic Empire State with
their strong contributions to the community and model citizenship; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Patti Wertz Graham upon the occasion of her induction into the Bishop
Kearney High School Hall of Fame at a Dinner Dance to be held on Friday,
March 5, 2010, at Sirico's Caterers, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Anne and Rudolph Vincent
Wertz, Patti Wertz Graham attended Saint Athanasius School where she
graduated with General Excellence; and
WHEREAS, As a young girl, Patti Wertz Graham witnessed Bishop Kearney
High School being built; she eventually became a student at the fine
institution and graduated with a Regents Scholarship, a Fordham Scholar-
ship, and a Governor's Committee on Scholastic Excellence Scholarship;
and
WHEREAS, Thereafter, Patti Wertz Graham earned her Bachelor of Arts
degree from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and her Master of
Science degree in Education from the College of Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, Upon the completion of her studies, Patti Wertz Graham taught
for eight years at Saint Athanasius School, where she enjoyed her years
of teaching, as well as planning the annual Sports Night event at Kear-
ney; and
WHEREAS, However, Patti Wertz Graham decided to change vocations and
was accepted into Macy's Executive Training Program; after completing
the program, she had a successful career in Human Resources that ranged
from training the elves at Christmas to instituting Macy's first corpo-
rate-wide benefits program as Councilor of Corporate Benefits; she
served her last year at Macy's as a Benefit Consultant to Federated
Department Stores; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Patti Wertz Graham joined the Depository Trust
Company as a Benefits Manager; today, she is the DTCC Human Resources
Benefits Director for Health and Welfare Plans and is responsible for
plan design, administration, compliance and benefits expense planning;
and
WHEREAS, Despite her busy professional life, Patti Wertz Graham has
been called upon to contribute her time and talents to countless civic
and charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly;
and
WHEREAS, Patti Wertz Graham has served on the Bishop Kearney's Board
of Trustees and Finance Committee since 2005, becoming Chair of the
Committee in 2007; in addition, when her daughter was attending Genesis,
she was a member of Genesis Family Life Committee; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Patti Wertz Graham has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Thomas, and their
daughter, Christina, both of whom feel privileged to be a part of her
life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Patti Wertz Graham has displayed
throughout her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Patti Wertz Graham upon the occasion of her induction into the
Bishop Kearney High School Hall of Fame on March 5, 2010; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Patti Wertz Graham.