Rep. Hune offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 94.

            A resolution declaring Neil Woodward as Michigan’s Troubadour.

            Whereas, Neil Woodward has dedicated five decades to the study and preservation of Michigan’s folk music and culture. As a folklorist, he has shared Michigan’s musical heritage through his performances and teaching. Whether presenting musical programs in Michigan history to K-12 and university students or dedicating the Michigan Historical Center and Library of Michigan in 1985, his work makes a unique and worthwhile contribution to the quality of life for Michigan citizens; and

            Whereas, Neil Woodward promotes an appreciation of Michigan’s musical heritage to Michiganians and visitors from around the world through his two decades as the Village Troubadour at Historical Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad, and as a featured performer at Greenfield Village since childhood. Acting as a goodwill ambassador, Neil Woodward’s performances enable visitors to Michigan to view the culture and history of our great state through the eyes of its songs; and

            Whereas, Neil Woodward’s recordings of traditional and original Michigan folk music Crossroads Serenade, In the Year of the Dog, A Cup of Kindness, Old Timers and Peace Troubles are catalogued by the Library of Congress Office of Folklife, the Library of Michigan and the Archives of the State of Michigan preserving the musical heritage of Michigan loggers, miners and sailors from the 1800s and the autoworkers of today; and

            Whereas, Neil Woodward’s musical virtuosity and songwriting make a significant contribution to Michigan’s culture and are therefore acknowledged by Michigan’s premier cultural institutions, garnering him numerous awards. ArtServe Michigan awarded Neil Woodward the Creative Artist grant in 1993, recognizing his continuing contribution to the troubadour tradition. Since its inception, the Michigan Humanities Council’s Great Outdoors Culture tour has selected Neil Woodward to bring Michigan’s history alive for visitors to northern Michigan campgrounds and historical sites, resulting in these efforts being highlighted in the journals of the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Trust for Historic Preservation; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor Neil Woodward’s contribution to Michigan’s musical heritage and declare him to be Michigan’s Troubadour.