SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1086
In Memory
of
Harvey Lavan Cliburn, Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Texas and classical music aficionados around the
world in mourning the loss of legendary pianist Harvey Lavan
"Van" Cliburn, Jr., who died February 27, 2013, at the age of
78; and
WHEREAS, Van Cliburn was an exceptional Texan who made Fort
Worth an international mecca for classical musicians; he was
beloved the world over for both his talent and his humility; and
WHEREAS, As a young man of 23, he won the hearts and minds
of Soviet citizens when he claimed the first Tchaikovsky
International Piano Competition title in Moscow in 1958; his
performance elicited an eight-minute standing ovation; soon
after that triumph, his recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano
Concerto No. 1 became the first classical album to go platinum;
in 1962 the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano
Competition was launched in Fort Worth, and it has become a
prestigious event that now rivals its Russian counterpart; and
WHEREAS, Born July 12, 1934, Van Cliburn began playing
piano at the age of three; coached by his mother, Rildia, who was
a talented pianist in her own right, he gave his first public
performance at the age of four; when he was 12 years old, he
debuted with the Houston Symphony, and when he was 20, he played
his first Carnegie Hall concert; he won a Grammy Award at the age
of 23; and
WHEREAS, Despite his acclaim, Van Cliburn was exceedingly
humble; he performed for every American president from Harry
Truman to Barack Obama, yet he was unfailingly modest and
gracious; a man of great warmth and sincerity, he was a faithful
member of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cliburn inspired loyalty and affection among
people from all walks of life; he was presented with the Order of
Friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin and was awarded
the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush and
the National Medal of the Arts by President Barack Obama; he also
received the Kennedy Center Honors and the Grammy Lifetime
Achievement Award; Van Cliburn was beloved by millions, and he
will long be revered for his outstanding contributions to
classical music and to Texas culture; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family and friends of Harvey Lavan "Van" Cliburn and declare the
dates of the upcoming quadrennial Van Cliburn International
Piano Competition, May 24 through June 9, 2013, as Van Cliburn
Days in Texas; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his loved ones as an expression of deepest sympathy from the
Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so
in memory of Van Cliburn.
Davis, Birdwell,
Hancock, Nelson
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 26, 2013, by a
rising vote.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate