[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 126 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10784-S10785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO DON HIGHT

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to South Dakota 
rancher Don Hight for being recognized at the Third Annual National Day 
of the American Cowboy celebration in my home town of Murdo, SD.
  Don was born in Mellette County, SD, in 1920. He served as an Army 
paratrooper in World War II. After his return from the war, Don married 
Adeline Fott and together they started ranching in Jones County, SD, 
where they raised their two children Dan and Cheryl.
  In January of 1962, the farmer from small-town South Dakota made 
national news when he began a 70-mile cattle drive, trailing 1800 head 
of cattle from his Jones County ranch along the White River to Winner, 
SD. On the third day into the trip, a blizzard hit with temperatures 
below zero and

[[Page S10785]]

winds reaching 35 miles per hour. As a result of his accomplishing this 
difficult drive, his story was picked up by the national news and Don 
was invited to appear in an episode of ``Rawhide'' which starred a 
young Clint Eastwood.
  Don Hight displayed his strong patriotism following the September 11, 
2001, terrorist attacks, when he sold 100 head of calves to the Fort 
Pierre Livestock and presented the check to the South Dakota Stock 
Growers to buy beef certificates, which were given to the Salvation 
Army for distribution to the victim's families.
  Mr. Hight is truly a reflection of the American cowboy and proof that 
the cowboy way of life is still alive and well in South Dakota. He is a 
man dedicated to his country, and the values that this country 
represents such as bravery, honor and respect for his fellow man. It is 
people like Don that make the state of South Dakota such a great place 
to live.
  It gives me pleasure to rise and pay tribute to Don Hight, a true 
American cowboy.

                          ____________________