[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MONTIE MONTANA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay homage to a gentleman 
whose storied career in the entertainment field lasted more than 60 
years. Anyone familiar with westerns and the people who made westerns a 
cornerstone of motion pictures would recognize the name Montie Montana. 
Quite simply, Montie was the best ``trick roper'' in the business. For 
me, he was also a friend and someone who people in my district honored 
and admired.
  Montie was born Owen Harlan Mickel on June 21, 1910, to Edgar Owen 
Mickel and Mary Edna Harlan Mickel. He spent much of his childhood 
around Wolf Point, Montana, which seemed to always have a special place 
in Montie's heart. Montie saw his first rodeo in Wolf Point at the age 
of 6, his first exposure to the talents that would eventually make him 
famous.
  By the mid-1920's Montie was eagerly honing his rope skills, even 
surviving a serious injury that he sustained while training a horse. 
Montie's family spend much of the late 1920's and early 1930's touring 
and performing at rodeos throughout the west. At the age of 21, Montie 
had become a regular at Hoot Gibson's ranch in Saugus, California, and 
his roping skills were encouraged by the legendary star Tom Mix.
  A few years later Montie married Louise Archer and starred in his 
first movie, Circle of Death, doing his own stunts. He remained a 
fixture in movies, television, and shows during the next three decades, 
and was at his peak during Hollywood's Golden Age in the 1940's and 
1950's. Western pictures were at their zenith as well, and Montie knew 
everyone who today represent a ``Who's Who'' of classic westerns: John 
Wayne, Gene Autry, Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, and John Ford to name a few.
  Most of the stars and stunt performers who worked in westerns in this 
era lived in the San Fernando or the Santa Clarita Valley. Montie was 
no exception, living on 20 acres in the town of Northridge (and serving 
as honorary Mayor), which is in my district. As a child who grew up in 
the San Fernando Valley, one of my highlights was seeing Montie, who 
regularly made appearances at Southern California schools. I recall to 
this day seeing him when I was a student at Plainview Avenue Elementary 
School. It is estimated that Montie performed before 8,000,000 kids, 
often accompanied by his horse Rex.
  Montie was also a fixture at the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. 
It is estimated that he appeared at the parade more often than anyone 
else. He also rode in the 1949 Inaugural Parade and ``roped'' President 
Eisenhower in the 1953 parade. In addition, he was a part of some of 
the finest movies of this era: Cheyenne Autumn, The Man Who Shot 
Liberty Valence, A Star Is Born, and The Will Rogers Story. The latter 
of these also featured Montie's daughter Linda.
  After living in Northridge for thirty years, Montie moved to Agua 
Dulce, adjacent to the Vasquez Rocks which were featured as a backdrop 
in numerous westerns. He continued to be an active part of the 
community and I often saw him in and around the Santa Clarita Valley. 
He also was enshrined in the Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma and the 
Walk of Western Stars in Newhall, California, ultimate recognitions for 
one of the greatest cowboys. Although Montie would later move again, I 
always considered him a part of our community, and was deeply saddened 
when I learned last night that he had passed away.
  I fell blessed to have known Montie and will miss him. Thank you, 
Montie, for many cherished memories. God Bless You.

                          ____________________