O'Keefe, Tom Honored as Outstanding Citizens by Albany Council

Two citizens with extraordinary records of leadership and volunteer engagement in Albany – one adult and one high school student – were honored with proclamations by the City Council Monday night.

The council applauded Caryl O'Keefe for having been selected as the Albany Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and Thalia Tom as the chamber's Youth of the Year. The awards dinner was Oct. 16.

O'Keefe works with many civic groups and city bodies. A partial list includes the Albany YMCA, Albany Community Foundation, Albany Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Albany and Friends of the Albany Library. She was honored by the council just two weeks earlier when she was presented with the Uber Albany Local Cup. 

Tom is a senior at Albany High School, where she was recently elected student body president, can be heard as the voice of the Daily Bulletin, serves as the student representative to the School Instructional Improvement Committee, writes for the school paper The Cougar and holds records for the cross country team. One of her Cougar articles was republished on Patch last year.

"Some people in town do a little, some people do a lot," said Mayor Peggy Thomsen in presenting the proclamations. "And these two people whom we're honoring tonight have done a lot. And we thank you."

Added Chamber President Ellen Graves, "They're wonderful examples of what makes this great city really great."

The full proclamations can be found below:

Proclamation in Recogntion of The Chamber of Commerce 2013 Citizen of the Year Caryl O'Keefe

WHEREAS, the Albany Chamber of Commerce annually honors Albany citizens and students for their volunteer work that makes Albany such a special place to live and work; and  

WHEREAS, the 2013 Albany Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year has been awarded to Caryl O’Keefe; and  

WHEREAS, Caryl serves as part of the Albany YMCA, Albany Community Foundation, Albany Chamber of Commerce, Albany Rotary Club, and the Friends of the Albany Library; and  

WHEREAS, Caryl currently serves as the Chair of the City’s Charter Review Committee; and  

WHEREAS, Caryl has also served on the City’s Sustainability Committee, and the Measure E Bond Oversight Committee for the Albany Unified School District; and  

WHEREAS, Caryl is an avid volunteer, providing ongoing support to numerous community functions every year; and  

WHEREAS, Caryl can be found at most City public meetings, taking the time to contribute ideas and information to help with City projects and programs;  

WHEREAS, community members such as Caryl help add to the unique character of Albany’s “Urban Village by the Bay” where involvement and volunteerism make our community rich.  

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Albany City Council hereby honors Caryl O’Keefe as the 2013 Albany Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and thanks Caryl for her ongoing dedication to the City.

Proclamation in Recogntion of The Chamber of Commerce 2013 Citizen of the Year Thalia Tom

WHEREAS, the Albany Chamber of Commerce annually honors Albany citizens and students for their volunteer work that makes Albany such a special place to live and work; and  

WHEREAS, the 2013 Albany Chamber of Commerce Youth of the Year honor has been awarded to Thalia Tom; and  

WHEREAS, Thalia is a senior and an honors student at Albany High School;  

WHEREAS, Thalia tirelessly helps plan, organize, prep, clean, and do all the necessary tasks to make school events successful; and  

WHEREAS, Thalia was recently elected Associated Student Body President for this school year; and  

WHEREAS, Thalia is the voice of the Daily Bulletin at Albany High School; and  

WHEREAS, Thalia also finds time to serve as the student representative to the School Instructional Improvement Committee, write for the student newspaper The Cougar, and hold records on the Cross Country team; and  

WHEREAS, youth as dedicated as Thalia remind us all of the promise of tomorrow’s leaders.  

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Albany City Council hereby honors Thalia Tom as the 2013 Albany Chamber of Commerce Youth of the Year, and thanks Thalia for her ongoing dedication to the City.

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