LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Most Reverend Joseph M. Sullivan upon
the occasion of his designation for special recognition at the 2010
Bishop's Humanitarian Award Dinner on June 23, 2010

WHEREAS, The character and richness of religious and community life in
this noble Empire State is nourished and fulfilled through the faithful
concern and selfless devotion of those who would commit their energies
and purpose to the ministry of others; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to bring full recog-
nition and just tribute to those individuals who distinguish themselves
and the ministry through their unremitting commitment and preeminence of
service; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Most Rever-
end Joseph M. Sullivan upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition at the 2010 Bishop's Humanitarian Award Dinner held on
Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at Pier Sixty, New York City, New York; and
WHEREAS, Most Reverend Joseph M. Sullivan is being recognized for his
50 years of unwavering service, leadership and vision to the Catholic
Charities movement; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, Bishop
Sullivan attended St. Michael's High School, Manhattan College and the
Cathedral College Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington,
New York; and
WHEREAS, He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1956
and was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes, a parish in Queens Village;
after enrolling in the Fordham School of Social Service, he received a
Masters degree in Social Work from Fordham University and a Masters in
Public Administration from New York University; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan's first full-time assignment with Catholic
Charities Brooklyn and Queens was in Child Care, starting his 50-year
tenure with this illustrious organization; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader, Bishop Sullivan eventually became the
Executive Director of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and contin-
ues to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, During his esteemed tenure, Bishop Sullivan was committed to
meeting the needs of the poor which led to a focus on the importance of
working within specific neighborhoods; as a result, Bishop Sullivan
moved services from the centralized administrative building in Brooklyn
Heights to off-site neighborhood locations; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Bishop Sullivan has also been deeply involved
in major Church-related charity issues, serving on the Cadre Committee
that produced the visionary document, "Toward a Renewed Catholic Chari-
ties"; in the late 1990s, he chaired an ad hoc committee that produced a
pastoral letter on charity, "In All Things Charity: A Pastoral Challenge
for the New Millennium," adopted by the full body of Bishops at their
general meeting in November 1999; he is also the former chairperson of
the Catholic Health Association Board of Trustees and former president
of Catholic Charities USA; and
WHEREAS, In 1980, Bishop Sullivan was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of
Brooklyn and appointed Vicar for Human Services; he ended his 25-year
tenure as Vicar by prompting New York City's largest commitment for
affordable housing ever; in 2005, leading parish clusters and community
groups in advocacy efforts, he played a major role in shaping this
historic agreement which obtained 3,500 units of affordable housing for
the Greenpoint-Williamsburg riverfront revitalization; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan has brought unparalleled experience while
serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities

Brooklyn and Queens and chairing various boards and committees; in addi-
tion, he served on Mayor Koch's Commission 2000 on the Future of New
York City, Commission on the Homeless, the New York State Commission on
Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century and the Personnel Selection
Committees of Mayors Koch and Dinkins and Governors Carey and Cuomo; and
WHEREAS, Bishop Sullivan has brought to his ministry an overwhelming
spirit of charity and compassion, acting from vision and enlightenment
in conducting his administrative and spiritual duties, while always
displaying the highest standards of personal and professional integrity
and dedication; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man of God has always given enlightenment,
guidance and wisdom to the many entrusted to his care and has adminis-
tered abundantly and unstintingly to the spiritual and corporal needs of
all; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when a person
of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention it is
appropriate to publicly and jubilantly proclaim and commend that indi-
vidual for the edification of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Most Reverend Joseph M. Sullivan upon the occasion of his desig-
nation for special recognition at the 2010 Bishop's Humanitarian Award
Dinner, noting his unremitting and compassionate faith and his exemplary
service to God, man, and his community, and extending to him the heart-
felt best wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful
success and well-being; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Most Reverend Joseph M. Sullivan.