[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4440-S4444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise to talk about one of the great icons 
of the American West, the cowboy. The cowboy is an enduring symbol of 
strong character, honesty, integrity, respect, and patriotism. I am 
proud to carry on a tradition started by my late colleague and friend, 
Senator Craig Thomas, by sponsoring S. Res. 483 which honors the men 
and women called cowboys, designating July 26, 2008, as the national 
day of the American cowboy. I am an accountant and one of the few 
elected officials from Wyoming who isn't known for riding a horse. But 
when anyone mentions my home State, the first image that comes to mind 
is a cowboy and a horse.
  For many of us in the Senate, no one fits that image as well as my 
friend Craig Thomas. As he went through his leukemia treatments and 
still worked, he showed us what it was to cowboy up, to focus around 
pain, and to do the job at hand. Having lived in Wyoming most of my 
life, I have gotten to know the best cowboys in our country, and Craig 
surely showed us what it meant to be a cowboy.
  When Senator Thomas first began the tradition of designating a 
National Day of the American Cowboy in 2005, he told us ``Cowboys come 
in any age, race, marital status, and gender.'' He knew the cowboy 
spirit was not about getting dressed in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. 
He said:

       Trying to define a cowboy is like trying to rope the wind, 
     but you certainly recognize one when you see one.

  We all recognized the cowboy spirit in Craig. It is about strength of 
character, sound family values, courage, respect, and good common 
sense.
  Since it was first established in 2005, the National Day of the 
American Cowboy has been celebrated at rodeos across the Nation, 
including Cheyenne Frontier Days, known as the ``daddy of 'em all.''
  Senator Thomas would find me remiss if I did not invite all of you to 
Cheyenne Frontier Days at the end of July--or call my office to know 
about other rodeos in our State.
  Sadly, Senator Thomas passed away after finishing the resolution for 
the National Day of the American Cowboy last year. But I am proud to 
continue the tradition he started to recognize the accomplishments and 
contributions of all American cowboys.
  The cowboy way of life has been passed down for generations, since 
the first cowboys settled the American West. They were true pioneers 
who came west to settle an untamed frontier. Many of the cow towns that 
sprung up around the cattle business when the West was being settled 
are still there now. They continue to live their western heritage.
  The first cowboys relied on hard work and persistence and loyalty to 
make their living in a tough country. Today's cowboys have not changed 
all that much from when the first wranglers and ranch hands started 
herding cattle on the Great Plains. Today's cowboys continue to rope 
and ride across the United States. There are about 720,000 ranchers in 
our Nation. They live and work in every State to manage nearly 100 
million cattle. They are an integral part of Wyoming and many other 
Western States, and they undoubtedly improve our way of life.
  Now, you can be assured that cowboys work hard, but they also play 
hard. Rodeo is a sport that tests skill with a rope or challenges a 
cowboy's ability to stay on the back of a bucking rough stock for 8 
long seconds. One of the best parts of watching a rodeo is seeing the 
amazing partnership between the cowboy and the horse. Rodeos across the 
Nation, from big events such as Cheyenne Frontier Days and the National 
Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, to weekly jackpots in rural communities such 
as Kaycee or Cody, WY, attract more than 27 million fans annually, 
making rodeo one of the most watched sports in America. The 
Professional Bull Riders circuit, with its TV coverage, has expanded 
the audience dramatically.
  The cowboy legend still lives in our culture and our imaginations. 
John Wayne made cowboys larger than life in movies such as ``How the 
West Was Won'' and ``She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,'' and ``The Cowboys.'' 
Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Dale Evans entertained millions with their 
music, television, and movies, and Louis L'Amour's cowboy stories are 
read across the country. Audiences today continue to enjoy western 
novels, cowboy movies, and country music.
  We look up to cowboys because they are examples of honesty, 
integrity, character, patriotism, and self-reliance. Cowboys have a 
strong work ethic, they are compassionate, and they are good stewards 
of the land. We look to cowboys as role models for how to live up to 
the best American qualities.
  Craig Thomas told us that those of us from the West could always feel 
at home in Wyoming because we know it is, and always will be, cowboy 
country. I am proud to be from a State that continues to live the 
cowboy tradition every day. Their contributions have helped shape what 
it means to be an American and have created a high standard we can all 
strive to meet.
  Senator Thomas left some big cowboy boots to fill, and I am proud to 
be able to continue his tradition of recognizing the many contributions 
cowboys have made to our country as we designate July 26 as National 
Day of the American Cowboy for 2008.

[[Page S4444]]

  I thank Senator Thomas for living the legend and involving us and 
America.
  I have a unanimous consent request to read.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee 
be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed 
to S. Res. 482.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Akaka). Without objection, it is so 
ordered. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 482) designating July 26, 2008, as 
     ``National Day of the American Cowboy.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 482) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 482

       Whereas pioneering men and women, recognized as 
     ``cowboys'', helped establish the American West;
       Whereas the cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, 
     compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism;
       Whereas the cowboy spirit exemplifies strength of 
     character, sound family values, and good common sense;
       Whereas the cowboy archetype transcends ethnicity, gender, 
     geographic boundaries, and political affiliations;
       Whereas the cowboy is an excellent steward of the land and 
     its creatures, who lives off of the land and works to protect 
     and enhance the environment;
       Whereas cowboy traditions have been a part of American 
     culture for generations;
       Whereas the cowboy continues to be an important part of the 
     economy through the work of approximately 727,000 ranchers in 
     all 50 of the United States that contribute to the economic 
     well-being of nearly every county in the Nation;
       Whereas annual attendance at professional and working ranch 
     rodeo events exceeds 27,000,000 fans and rodeo is the 7th 
     most-watched sport in the Nation;
       Whereas membership and participation in rodeo and other 
     organizations that promote and encompass the livelihood of a 
     cowboy span every generation and transcend race and gender;
       Whereas the cowboy is a central figure in literature, film, 
     and music and occupies a central place in the public 
     imagination;
       Whereas the cowboy is an American icon; and
       Whereas the ongoing contributions made by cowboys and 
     cowgirls to their communities should be recognized and 
     encouraged: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates July 26, 2008, as ``National Day of the 
     American Cowboy''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.

                          ____________________