[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 108--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF APRIL 21 THROUGH APRIL 
              27 2003, AS ``NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY WEEK''

  Mr. BURNS (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Brownback, Mr. Hatch, and Mr. 
Reid) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 108

       Whereas throughout American history, cowboy poets have 
     played a large part in framing the landscape of the American 
     West through written and oral poetry;
       Whereas the endurance of these tales and poems demonstrates 
     that cowboy poetry is still a living art;
       Whereas recognizing the contributions of these poets dates 
     as far back as cowboys themselves; and
       Whereas it is necessary to recognize the importance of 
     cowboy poetry for future generations: Now therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates that week of April 21 through April 27, 
     2003, as ``National Cowboy Poetry Week''; and
       (2) requests the President to issue a proclamation calling 
     upon the people of the United States to celebrate the week 
     with the appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I would like to submit a resolution for 
consideration by the Senate marking the last week in April as ``Cowboy 
Poetry Week.'' Many think cowboys are a thing of the past, but I can 
tell you otherwise. In many western States like Montana, cowboys gather 
around a campfire and swap stories just as frequently as they did one 
hundred years ago. This oral tradition is now captured in written form 
as well, and several websites are dedicated solely to preserving and 
disseminating cowboy poetry and its history. My resolution will 
recognize the contribution of cowboy poetry to our history of the West, 
but also to mark it as a thriving tradition that continues even today. 
I thank my colleagues Senators Baucus, Brownback, Hatch, and Reid for 
their support on this issue. The life of cowboys should not be 
relegated to small weekly radio shows or features done on public 
television; it is important to understand that cowboys live and breathe 
a unique culture which few may be exposed to. I would encourage all my 
colleagues to take a walk in their boots one day, and read a little 
cowboy poetry.

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