TITLE: Congratulating Peter Yarrow on his 75th birthday.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Peter Yarrow on his 75th birthday.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Acclaimed folksinger Peter Yarrow is celebrating his 75th birthday with a performance at the Kerrville Folk Festival on May 31, 2013, to the delight of his many fans; and WHEREAS, Born in Manhattan in 1938, Mr. Yarrow graduated from the High School of Music and Art and went on to complete his bachelor's degree in psychology at Cornell University; he formed Peter, Paul and Mary with Mary Travers and Noel Paul Stookey in 1961, and the following year, their self-titled debut went directly to number one on the Billboard charts; the album kept its place in the Top 10 for 10 months; and WHEREAS, The group reached the number two slot with its sophomore release, and its third album retook the top spot on the charts; through the years, Mr. Yarrow wrote or cowrote many of the trio's most famous songs, among them "Puff (the Magic Dragon)," "Day is Done," "Light One Candle," and "The Great Mandela"; he also cowrote and produced the Mary McGregor hit "Torn Between Two Lovers"; and WHEREAS, Peter, Paul and Mary exemplified the folk movement's dedication to social justice, and the performers participated in two historic civil rights protests led by Dr. Martin Luther King, the 1963 March on Washington and the march in Selma, Alabama, two years later; Mr. Yarrow was particularly active in the peace movement and in support of Soviet Jewry, and he formed Operation Respect, a renowned anti-bullying organization, after hearing the song "Don't Laugh at Me" at the Kerrville Folk Festival; the United States Congress recognized Operation Respect for its "Don't Laugh at Me" programs and curricula, which have been used in thousands of classes across the country; and WHEREAS, Nurturing the next generation of musicians, Mr. Yarrow helped found the New Folk Concerts program at the Newport Folk Festival and the Kerrville Folk Festival, and many talented singer-songwriters have since launched their careers through New Folk performances; himself a mainstay of the Kerrville Folk Festival, Mr. Yarrow has performed frequently at the event over the past four decades, oftentimes on his birthday; and WHEREAS, Peter Yarrow has brought joy to innumerable people through his wonderful music, and this milestone in his life offers a welcome opportunity to express appreciation for his myriad contributions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas Legislature hereby recognize Peter Yarrow as a "Texan by Choice" and congratulate him on the memorable occasion of his 75th birthday; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Yarrow as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Naishtat Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 3031 was adopted by the House on May 27, 2013, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House