LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending St. Francis College upon the occasion
of its 50th annual Charter Award Dinner on April 14, 2011 and honoring
Charter Award recipient Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe

WHEREAS, The State of New York is renowned for its centuries-old tradi-
tion of excellence and diversity in education and for the place of para-
mount importance which education holds for the people of the State; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize insti-
tutions of commitment and high achievement whose purpose and endeavor
are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, and to the
development of responsible citizens and community leaders; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize
and commend St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York, upon the occasion
of its 50th annual Charter Award Dinner on April 14, 2011 and to honor
Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe, an inspiring member of the community and an
esteemed recipient of a 2011 Charter Award; and
WHEREAS, The distinguished Charter Award recognizes the preeminent
service of its recipients to the betterment of the lives of citizens
throughout the New York City metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe was born and raised in New York
City; soon after graduating college and serving in the United States
Army, he began his efforts to build a restaurant on the waterfront,
which would combine three of his avocations, building, food, and being
by the water; after 12 years of negotiation with the City of New York,
he was given approval to create the city's first waterfront restaurant
and The River Cafe, located on the Brooklyn side of the East River,
immediately by the Brooklyn Bridge, opened in June 1977; during his 12
year waiting period, he built and operated eight other restaurants; and
WHEREAS, The River Cafe received the Parks Council Award in 1978, the
Municipal Arts Society Award in 1979, and was selected by Gault Millau,
the French culinary guide, as one of the five best restaurants in New
York; the restaurant was also awarded the prestigious "Ivy Award of
Distinction" from RESTAURANTS & INSTITUTIONS magazine and was awarded a
star in the 2009 Michelin guide; and
WHEREAS, The success of The River Cafe inspired the city to propose a
similar development on the Manhattan waterfront; The Water Club, located
on the East River at 30th Street, opened in 1982, and currently ranks
among the top-grossing restaurants in the United States, and has, along
with The River Cafe, received the Distinguished Restaurants of North
America Award and has been named to the Restaurant Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Michael O'Keeffe designed, built, and for 18 years, operated
the Cafe at Grand Central on the Vanderbilt Avenue Balcony of Grand
Central station; with the renovation of Grand Central Terminal, the Cafe
had to close and Michael O'Keeffe chose to move to Pershing Square at
42nd Street and Park Avenue rather than return to the terminal itself;
and
WHEREAS, It was yet another extreme challenge to build in this vast
New York City Landmark, which is located under a roadway, over a rail-
way, and surrounded by major thoroughfares; the restaurant, Pershing
Square Cafe, received the Municipal Arts Society's 1999 Preservation
Award, an award established to recognize outstanding examples of build-
ing restoration in New York City's five boroughs; only one award is
presented each year; and
WHEREAS, In addition to creating numerous establishments over the past
35 years, he has served as a consultant for many New York City restau-
rants and has been invited to speak about his innovative waterfront

architectural designs for the 23rd Street Development Project at the
International Symposium on Ocean Space Utilization held at Nihon Univer-
sity in Japan; and
WHEREAS, Michael O'Keeffe has served on the Board of Directors of the
Fire Safety Foundation, the Harbor Foundation of New York and New Jersey
and Fordham Preparatory School; he is also a member of the Cardinal's
Committee of The Laity, the New York State Restaurant Association and
the Manhattan Waterfront Alliance; and
WHEREAS, Michael O'Keeffe currently serves on the Board of Directors
of Audobon New York, the University of Limerick in Ireland, and Futures
in Education, which was established to ensure the continuance of the
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens by providing scholar-
ships and program support to the neediest of students and schools; and
WHEREAS, The extraordinary performance and remarkable dedication of
Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe truly merit the prestigious St. Francis College
Charter Award and the esteem, respect, and appreciation of this Legisla-
tive Body and the people of the City and State of New York; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend St. Francis College upon the occasion of its 50th annual Charter
Award Dinner on April 14, 2011, and to honor Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe,
esteemed recipient of a 2011 Charter Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to St. Francis College and to Michael "Buzzy" O'Keeffe.