2013-J1103

Honoring Mary Beth Casey O'Brien, recipient of an Irish American Heritage Museum's Inaugural Governor Hugh L. Carey Award on April 20, 2013

Sponsored By

text

2013-J1103


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mary Beth Casey O'Brien upon the occa-
sion of her designation as the recipient of an Irish American Heritage
Museum's Inaugural Governor Hugh L. Carey Award on April 20, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in their profession and in their commitment to
their heritage and their community merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commend Mary Beth Casey O'Brien upon the occasion of her designation as
the recipient of an Irish American Heritage Museum's Governor Hugh L.
Carey Award; and
WHEREAS, The Irish American Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving
and telling the story of the contributions of the Irish people and their
culture in America, inspiring individuals to examine the importance of
their own heritage as part of the American cultural mosaic; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien, a daughter of Erin, will be honored
at the Irish American Heritage Museum's Inaugural Governor Hugh L. Carey
Awards Dinner, to be held at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, New York on
Saturday, April 20, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Irish American Heritage Museum's Governor Hugh L. Carey
Award proudly recognizes the achievements of those who exemplify its
ideals and help to further its mission; Mary Beth Casey O'Brien truly
merits such recognition; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien, a Capital District Good Samaritan,
has volunteered on a number of charitable boards across the region,
state, and nation; she wholeheartedly devotes her time and talents to
countless causes, each of which makes a significant difference in the
lives of the underprivileged; and
WHEREAS, From an early age, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien knew the impor-
tance of being of service to those in need, a value instilled in her by
her parents while growing up in Troy, New York; and
WHEREAS, As an adolescent soup kitchen volunteer, Mary Beth Casey
O'Brien became keenly aware of and profoundly dismayed by the too-easily
muted cry of the poor and has sought to make that cry more audible
through service in numerous church and civic organizations; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Catholic Central High School, in 1959, Mary
Beth Casey O'Brien earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the College
of St. Elizabeth where she became acquainted with the Daughters of Char-
ity, a relationship which has had a lasting and powerful impact on her
life and upon those around her; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien joined Samaritan Hospital as a Clin-
ical Dietician and, in 1961, was promoted to Chief Dietician; she simul-
taneously served as an Administrative Dietician at the Rensselaer County
Nursing Home and St. Mary's Hospital; and
WHEREAS, After serving in a number of local leadership positions with-
in the Albany Chapter of the Ladies of Charity, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien
was elected President of the Ladies of Charity of the United States of
America (LCUSA), presiding over a membership of 20,000 women; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien is a member of the Ladies of the
Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and has served as a
non-governmental organization (NGO) representative for the International
Association of Charities at the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, Currently, she serves on the boards of Catholic Charities of
the Diocese of Albany and the Albany and Catholic Charities AIDS
Services and continues her service with the Ladies of Charity locally,

nationally, and internationally and, is, in addition an affiliate of the
Daughters of Charity; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien is currently involved in the first
ongoing partnership between a domestic social service provider and an
academic institution, Catholic Charities USA and the University of Notre
Dame, an alliance revolutionizing the way we approach poverty in Ameri-
ca; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, Notre Dame unveiled "The Irish Madonna," a bronze
statue of a 19th century Irish immigrant woman carrying a baby, in the
south end of the Eck Visitors atrium; the statue is a gift to the
University from Frank and Mary Beth O'Brien and their daughters in memo-
ry of their son and brother Frankie and commemorates the 150th Anniver-
sary of the vast Irish migration to America in the wake of the "Great
Hunger" famine in Ireland; and
WHEREAS, She served, as well, many years as a Member of the Board of
Catholic Charities USA and has also served as a Trustee of the College
of St. Elizabeth, Siena College, and Maria College; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien has received honorary doctoral
degrees from The College of St. Rose in 2005 and the University of Notre
Dame in 2011 and St. John's University's Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in
2004 and the College of St. Elizabeth's Humanitarian Award in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien and her late husband Frank raised six
children and instilled in them their value of service to others and to
the greater community; and
WHEREAS, A woman immensely grateful for the blessings bestowed upon
her, Mary Beth Casey O'Brien every day seeks to give something back; a
true advocate and woman of action, she is a shining example of a Cathol-
ic laywoman and a person of great compassion, wisdom, and zeal; 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, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend them for the
edification and emulation of others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mary Beth Casey O'Brien upon the occasion of her designation as
the recipient of an Irish American Heritage Museum's Inaugural Governor
Hugh L. Carey Award on April 20, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Beth Casey O'Brien.

actions

  • 03 / Apr / 2013
    • REFERRED TO FINANCE
  • 17 / Apr / 2013
    • REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
  • 17 / Apr / 2013
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

Law Section:
Resolutions, Legislative

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.