Assembly Resolution No. 560
BY: M. of A. Cymbrowitz
HONORING the late Woody Guthrie upon the occasion
of co-naming a street in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New
York, in his name, in recognition of his legendary
musical career and remarkable life
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
just tribute to those musical geniuses whose commitment and creative
talents contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of
their community, the State of New York, and the entire Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the late Woody Guthrie, one of the most significant figures in American
folk music, upon the occasion of co-naming Mermaid Avenue and West 35th
Street "Woody Guthrie Way" in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, as a
fitting and lasting tribute to both his renowned musical career and his
legacy of social justice and grassroots advocacy; and
WHEREAS, The re-naming was the brainchild of Rabbi Andy Bachman and
was sponsored in the New York City Council by Councilmember Mark
Treyger; the ceremony is being conducted on Saturday, June 22, 2019, the
same day Arlo Guthrie and Nora Guthrie, Woody Guthrie's son and
daughter, are being crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid at the famed
Coney Island Mermaid Parade; and
WHEREAS, Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Guthrie was born in 1912 in Okemah,
Oklahoma; seeking work as a young adult with a small family, he joined
hundreds of thousands of people heading across the country to California
during the Great Dust Bowl; and
WHEREAS, After seeing the living conditions the transplanted "Okies"
were forced to endure, Woody Guthrie started writing his own songs,
giving a voice to those who were disenfranchised and oppressed; and
WHEREAS, After years of traveling across the United States, Woody
Guthrie arrived in New York City in 1940, at the age of 28; it was here
he wrote what was to become his best-known song, "This Land Is Your
Land;" and
WHEREAS, In New York, he met and married Marjorie (Greenblatt)
Mazia; they moved to Coney Island in 1943 and lived there until 1952; it
was at 3520 Mermaid Avenue that Woody and Marjorie raised their
children, Cathy, Arlo, Joady, and Nora; among his favorite Coney Island
activities were building sand castles on the beach with his kids and
going to Nathan's for hot dogs and "hot patooties" (fries); and
WHEREAS, After developing symptoms of Huntington's disease, Woody
Guthrie was hospitalized and died on October 3, 1967; during his
lifetime, he composed over 2,500 songs; he had a fervent belief in
social, political, and spiritual justice and helped to establish folk
music as a force for change and a viable new commercial genre; and
WHEREAS, Songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Bruce
Springsteen, Harry Chapin, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Jerry Garcia
and Tom Paxton have acknowledged Woody Guthrie as a major influence; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to remember the
life and many accomplishments of musical greats such as Woody Guthrie,
whose prominent career will forever live in the hearts of many and
continue to inspire generations to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the late Woody Guthrie upon the occasion of co-naming a street in
Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, in his name, in recognition of his
legendary musical career and remarkable life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; Woody's children, Arlo Guthrie and Nora Guthrie; New York City
Councilmember Mark Treyger; and Rabbi Andy Bachman.
