[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13508]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    ALL-OHIO STATE FAIR YOUTH CHOIR

 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the 50th 
anniversary of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir and the leadership 
of its founder, Glenville D. Thomas. In 1963, Mr. Thomas founded the 
choir to provide high school singers in Ohio with the opportunity to 
enjoy a musical experience similar to that of the All-Ohio State Fair 
Band.
  In 1975, the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir became the first 
marching choir during its debut at the Tournament of Roses Parade. In 
1975, the group was also the first-ever choir to sing in the Macy's 
Thanksgiving Day Parade, which included a pre-show performance atop the 
World Trade Center. Mr. Thomas and the choir also performed at the New 
York World's Fair, appeared on several national and local TV and radio 
programs, and sang for President Nixon at the White House.
  This year, the 2013 Ohio State Fair featured a butter choir 
sculpture--in addition to an iconic butter cow--that honored the 
thousands of youth who have been members of the choir throughout the 
last five decades. I was pleased to be able to visit with some of the 
members of the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir, hear some of their 
great singing, and congratulate them at the fair.
  The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir is an asset to the Ohio State 
Fair and I congratulate all who were involved in making its first 50 
years a success.

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