[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO HARRIET FRANCES ``BITA'' LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE SKEEN

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 1996

  Mr. SKEEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of the accomplishments 
of a fellow New Mexican, rancher and a friend: Harriet Frances Lee. 
Harriet, better known as Bita, will be posthumously honored on this 
November 1, 1996, by being inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of 
Fame.
  The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame is a cultural and heritage museum 
which originated in Hereford, TX, in 1975. Now located in the heart of 
Fort Worth, this national hall of fame was formed in order to 
immortalize the women who embody the spirit of the West. From artist to 
rancher, each year the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame selects four women 
who have significantly contributed to the heritage of the West.
  Last year alone, over 600 applicants were considered for the four 
positions. Nominated by a longtime family friend, Dr. Margaret Iden, 
Bita was selected to join women already inducted into the hall of fame; 
women such as Sacajawea, Patsy Cline, Dale Evens, Annie Oakley, and our 
fellow New Mexican, Georgia O'Keeffe.
  Along with biographies of fellow hall of fame inductees, the museum 
includes historical and personal mementos of the West and the women who 
exemplified its strength.
  Among Bita's mementos in the museum there may be a lasso, a tiny pair 
of boots and spurs, or a piece of turquoise. All of these items could 
be found on Bita at any time of the day. She was tiny in stature, but 
could organize and work over 250,000 acres with the force of someone 
twice her size.
  A talented rider, Bita loved to rope and work with palominos and 
quarter horses. Bita also loved the sheep industry. The June marking of 
the lambs and the April shearing events were always important to Bita. 
She could be described as salt of the Earth; never wanting for frills 
or extravagance, loving and respective of animals and her land. Bita 
often made her own furniture, always liked working with her hands, and 
was caring of her dogs, cats, or--on occasion--raccoons.
  Bita also took a great interest in family. A fraternal twin, she and 
her brother, Harry--or Bito--had worked side by side to help their 
parents operate the ranch through drought and economic hard times. 
Before and after her brother's untimely death, she took great interest 
in her nephews, Floyd and Harry, and her niece, Marron. Bita worked 
hard, helping them understand the importance of ranching and family. 
Furthermore, with Bita's help, her nephew Floyd learned how to ride and 
rope; Harry learned to work with his hands; and, Marron learned to 
appreciate poetry. In other words, she helped guide a new generation of 
Western ranchers.
  Bita was a rancher from her birth in 1928, to her death in 1991. Bita 
was college educated; she could fly a plane; she could ride a horse 
with grace; she could rope the craftiest of calves; she could write 
poetry with humor; she could punch cattle; she could shear sheep; and, 
she always remained a strong and proud woman of New Mexico and the 
West. I am happy to salute Bita in this manner, and I am pleased to 
have recommended her to membership in the National Cowgirl Hall of 
Fame.

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