LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring E. Colleen Golden upon the occasion of
her selection as Deputy Marshal of the 22nd Annual Bay Ridge St.
Patrick's Day Parade on March 22, 2015

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 E.
Colleen Golden upon the occasion of her selection as Deputy Marshal of
the 22nd Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade to be held on Sunday,
March 22, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Colleen Golden was born and raised in the Windsor Terrace
community of Brooklyn, to James and Margaret (Connell) Slattery; she
attended both Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School and John Jay
High School in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating from high school, Colleen Golden was employed
by a private law firm; after three years, she moved on to work in the
legal department of AT&T, where she worked until 1986; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Colleen Golden married her husband, Martin, and they
lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, before moving to Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, After the birth of their first son, the couple moved back to
Bay Ridge; upon their return, Colleen Golden became involved in her
community, becoming a member of the Ragamuffin Committee in 1991, where
she was an active participant before being nominated for the role of
President in 2000; and
WHEREAS, From 2000-2004, Colleen Golden held the position of President
of the Ragamuffin, Inc., an organization which provides over 1,000 chil-
dren the opportunity to march up Bay Ridge's Third Avenue in the one and
only Children's Parade in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure in this position, Colleen Golden was
instrumental in gaining Parade sponsorship, which enabled the Ragamuffin
Parade Committee to expand the number of marching bands, the number of
Grand Prizes to be presented for Best Costume, and ensuring all children
participating in the Parade received a quality gift; and
WHEREAS, Colleen Golden continued to serve as an active member of
Ragamuffin, Inc. before being re-elected President in 2008, a position
she continues to hold; and
WHEREAS, Colleen Golden has been a recipient of numerous awards and
accolades for her community service, including both the Woman of the
Year for Advocates for Services for the Blind Multi-handicapped, and
Helen Keller for the Blind, and the Third Avenue Merchants Pioneer
Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Colleen Golden is a Lady of the Equestrian Order
of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and a faithful parishioner of St.
Anslem Roman Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Colleen Golden volunteered at the Bay Ridge
Manor, and was a Paraprofessional for students with learning disabili-
ties at The Child School on Roosevelt Island; and
WHEREAS, For seven years, Colleen Golden was an assistant office work-
er for the Leif Ericson Day School in Dyker Heights; currently, she is
an aide at the Academy of Talented Scholars, PS 682, in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her husband, with her throughout have been
their two sons, Michael and Patrick James (PJ), all of whom feel privi-
leged to be a part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, A fitting choice for Deputy Marshal of the 22nd Annual Bay
Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade, Colleen Golden 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 E. Colleen Golden upon the occasion of her selection as Deputy
Marshal of the 22nd Annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick's Day Parade on March
22, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to E. Colleen Golden.