[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE SIXTH ANNUAL COWBOY POETRY AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Sixth 
Annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival that took place at the historic 
Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, CA. For 4 days, cowboy enthusiasts such 
as myself, were entertained by local residents, as well as individuals 
from 22 different states and 2 foreign nations.
  This ranch has a significant historical background, Mr. Speaker. Once 
owned by Gene Autry, the Melody Ranch was used for some of the greatest 
western movies featuring legendary stars such as Tom Mix, Hopalong 
Cassidy, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Ronald Reagan.
  In celebration of our Western Heritage, this festival brought 
together communities from around the nation and around the world to my 
hometown to enjoy in a bygone era of cowboys, campfires, and country 
music. Cowboy music, poetry, and food provided everyone with what Santa 
Claritans know to be true, that country and western tradition are among 
the very best that our nation has to offer.
  Whether it was the special performances at the Autry Museum of 
Western Heritage, the mansion of silent film star William S. Hart, or 
the Heritage Junction Historic Park this festival can be called nothing 
less than an overwhelming success. I would like to applaud the 
organizers, the participants, and the community as a whole for their 
participation in this event.
  Mr. Speaker, as I end these remarks and I reflect back on the Cowboy 
Poetry and Music Festival, I am reminded of the end of so many of the 
western movies that show the cowboy riding off into the sunset. We sure 
hope that he returns next year to make certain that future generations 
never forget this indispensable history.

                          ____________________