LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke upon the occasion
of her selection as Deputy Marshal of the Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's
Day Parade on March 20, 2016

WHEREAS, St. Patrick's Day is a time for people of all nationalities and
generations to assemble and celebrate the rich culture and heritage of
the Irish people throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, A St. Patrick's Day parade reflects and records the ongoing
history of the United States and Ireland, and provides opportunity for
people of all generations to assemble in ethnic pride and pageantry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke upon the occasion of her selection as Deputy
Marshal of the Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday,
March 20, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke's grandfather left Ardnageeha, County
Cork, Ireland to pursue his dreams of a better life; in 1947, he wed
Alice Donovan, and they happily settled in Staten Island and started a
beautiful life together based in the Catholic faith; and
WHEREAS, Born in Staten Island, New York, Kathleen O'Keefe attended
Blessed Sacrament School and Notre Dame Academy; after graduating, she
earned a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in Busi-
ness Administration with a concentration in Finance from Wagner College;
today, she works in midtown as an Accounting Manager for Starr Compa-
nies; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Kathleen O'Keefe began playing bagpipes with Rich-
mond County Pipes and Drums (RCPD); since then she has gone on to mentor
many pipers in the area, march in all the local parades and attend
hundreds of fundraisers; and
WHEREAS, Kathleen O'Keefe serves on RCPD's Executive Board as both
Treasurer and Band Manager; after meeting her husband, she joined him in
the Breezy Point Pipe Band in 2005; and
WHEREAS, The couple moved to Brooklyn, and in 2009, they were married;
she surprised her family and friends by leading over 54 pipers and drum-
mers into her wedding reception; and
WHEREAS, Some of Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke's most memorable moments have
been in a kilt; she remembers the first time she marched past St.
Patrick's Cathedral, received the Army Civilian Patriot Award, and
opened for several musical groups such as Black 47, Wolfetones, Dublin
City Ramblers, Andy Cooney, Shillelagh Law and Ronan Tynan; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke played the pipes on the
field at Citi Field Stadium, and at Brooklyn Cyclones and Staten Island
Yankees games; she has had the distinct honor of playing for Cardinal
Dolan, the Taoiseach of Ireland and many Irish government officials; and
WHEREAS, Proud of her Irish heritage, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke was one
of the first women voted into the St. Patrick's Society of Brooklyn
Executive Board, which has been around since 1850, and was traditionally
a men-only club; she also holds the position of band coordinator for the
Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and serves as a Captain for
the Staten Ireland Fair; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke is a member of several Irish
organizations including the LAOH, NYPD Emerald Society, St. Columcille
Cultural Center, Irish Business Organization (IBO), and the Irish Ameri-
can Building Society (IABS); and
WHEREAS, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke serves as a liaison for the Consulate
General of Ireland to many groups and has had the honor of working

directly with the Consulate team putting together a calendar of
1916-2016 Centennial events in the United States; and
WHEREAS, A woman of purpose and many interests, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke
is a founding member of the Bay Ridge Beached Whales Polar Plunge Team
and annually raises money for the New York Special Olympics; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout has been her loving husband Kenny, who
feels privileged to be a part of her life and rejoices in her achieve-
ments; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, intellect and commitment as that demonstrated by over a
lifetime of sacrifice and dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Deputy Marshal of the Annual Bay Ridge
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke embodies the spirit
and the cherished ideals and values of Irish-Americans of this great
State and Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke upon the occasion of her selection as Depu-
ty Marshal of the Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 20,
2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Deputy Marshal Kathleen O'Keefe-Burke.