[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary 
Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 142.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 142) designating July 25, 2009, as 
     ``National Day of the American Cowboy.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. ENZI. Madam President, I rise today 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. 142, 
which honors the men and women called cowboys by designating July 25, 
2009, the National Day of the American Cowboy.
  Craig truly showed us what it meant to be a cowboy. He knew that they 
come from all walks of life. Cowboys are men and women of any age, any 
race, and can be found across the country. The cowboy spirit isn't 
about boots and spurs and a hat. It is about strength of character, 
sound family values, courage, respect, and good common sense. Senator 
Thomas said:

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

  It was easy to recognize that Senator Thomas truly was a Wyoming 
cowboy in every sense of the word.
  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 cowtowns 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 to make their living 
in a tough country. Today's cowboys haven't 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. 
They live and work in every State to manage nearly 100 million cattle. 
They are an integral part of the economy of Wyoming and many other 
Western States. 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 bucking rough stock for 8 long seconds. Rodeos 
across the Nation, from big events such as Cheyenne Frontier Days and 
the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, to weekly smalltown jackpots at 
community arenas around the country, draw millions of fans every year.
  The cowboy legend still lives in our culture and our imaginations 
through music, movies, and books. From cowboy blockbusters on the big 
screen to the thousands of country radio stations on the air, the 
cowboy remains a larger-than-life figure. 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.
  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. I am proud to continue Senator Thomas's tradition of 
recognizing the many contributions cowboys have made to our country. I 
look forward to celebrating the National Day of the American Cowboy on 
July 25, 2009.
  Mr. REID. Madam 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. 142) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 142

       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 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 many thousands of ranchers across 
     the Nation who contribute to the economic well-being of every 
     State;
       Whereas millions of fans watch professional and working 
     ranch rodeo events annually, and rodeo is one of the most-
     watched sports in the Nation;
       Whereas membership and participation in rodeo and other 
     organizations that promote and encompass the livelihood of 
     cowboys 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 25, 2009, 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.

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