“Tonight, we are celebrating the Irish-American community of New York City,” Thompson said in his opening remarks. “The story of Irish New York is a story that stretches back to the earliest days of our city. It is a story of hardship and victory, of obstacles overcome and dreams realized. It is a story that tells us about the power of hope.”

Thompson first honored Kathleen Bracken, who has worked for the New York City Commission on Human Rights for 25 years, rising through the ranks to her current post as Director of the Commission’s Queens Community Service Center .

“Ms. Bracken has provided dedicated service to the people of New York City and contributed greatly to the quality of life in our communities,” Thompson said. “She has dedicated her professional life to serving the people of New York.”

Thompson presented the next award to Mary Elizebeth Bartholomew, who served most recently as a Court Attorney at New York State Supreme Court of New York County. Previously, she served as Director of the Matrimonial Project for the Sanctuary for Families program at the Center for Battered Women's Legal Services.

“Ms. Bartholomew has provided dedicated service and invaluable assistance to New Yorkers in need,” Thompson said.

The Comptroller called the third honoree, Christopher Cahill, a “champion of Irish-American cultural life.” Cahill is the Executive Director of the City University of New York's Institute for Irish American Studies, a CUNY-wide institution based on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx.

“Mr. Cahill was instrumental in starting the Institute, and helped develop its popular program of public cultural events,” Thompson noted. He pointed out that since 1994, Cahill has edited The Recorder, the journal of the American Irish Historical Society, where he also serves on the Executive Council as the Society’s Historiographer.

“Mr. Cahill has devoted his professional life to celebrating, exploring, and promoting a greater understanding of Irish literature, history, and culture,” Thompson said. “He has made extraordinary contributions to the life of our city.”

Thompson then honored James T. Ryan, calling him “a dedicated New Yorker who has made outstanding contributions to our city both as a business and civic leader.”

Ryan serves as First Vice President in the Private Banking Group at Merrill Lynch, and specializes in helping churches, schools and other non-profit organizations manage their financial matters.

“James Ryan has risen to great heights in his profession while helping the organizations that help New Yorkers, and has provided outstanding community leadership,” Thompson said.

The final honoree was the Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, who was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1956. After serving at Our Lady of Lourdes in Queens Village, he was appointed to Catholic Charities, where he served in a range of capacities until his appointment as Executive Director in 1968.

In 1980, he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn and appointed Vicar for Human Services. Bishop Sullivan serves on the Board of Catholic Charities and co-chairs the Board of the St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York.

“Bishop Sullivan has provided outstanding spiritual leadership and helped strengthen our communities over the course of his years of dedicated service,” Thompson said.

Reverend David Schilling of the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility delivered the Invocation, and Sister Regina Murphy of Sisters of Charity offered the Benediction. The Tir na Gael School of Irish Dancing performed at the event.