[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 134 (Wednesday, October 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2034-E2035]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN CELEBRATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLACK COWBOYS PARADE IN 
                          OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 1999

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 25th Anniversary 
of the Black Cowboys Parade held every year in Oakland, California 
since 1974. The parade commemorates the contributions made by African 
Americans and other ethnic groups to the development of the American 
West.
  African Americans, primarily from Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, 
poured into California to build ships during World War II. These states 
were all ``horse country'' where African Americans had raised and 
trained horses. Northern California could therefore easily support the

[[Page E2035]]

concept of a Black Cowboys parade. Some of the original organizers and 
riders were Lonnie Scoggins, Booker Emery, and Mr. Wright (now in his 
nineties). Other cities in Oklahoma and Texas have parades celebrating 
Black horsemen and horsewomen, but the City of Oakland has hosted the 
longest continuously staged celebration.
  Blacks were cowboys before they were freed from slavery. Before 
California even became a state, they worked on cattle ranches in 
southern California. At the height of the cattle driving days, it is 
estimated that a fourth of all cowboys were black. The Buffalo Soldiers 
were proud and capable men who got the toughest and longest assignments 
while serving on the frontier. Although they have since been criticized 
for fighting Indians, these largely illiterate men were recruited 
starting in 1866 immediately after the end of the Civil War. By 1898, 
they were a disciplined fighting force who saved Theodore Roosevelt on 
San Juan Hill in Cuba during the Spanish American War.
  This parade rights the portrayal of African Americans from history 
and media presentations by restoring the pride of black manhood. 
Northern California and Bay Area horsemen and horsewomen show that 
blacks can ride today as well and that this history is alive. This is 
also important to Mexican Americans, Chinese Americans and Native 
American as children of every background can reclaim their history and 
have pride in their special contribution to the settlement of the West.
  This 25 year tradition of the Black Cowboys Parade is one of the 
ongoing and visible efforts to restore pride in young blacks and other 
youngsters. We salute the work of organizations such as the Northern 
California Black Horsemen Association, the Black Cowboys Association 
and Wildcat Canyon Ranch Youth Program for their ongoing programs to 
educate and honor the legacy of the black cowboy today.

                          ____________________