[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1847-E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 15TH ANNUAL MONTEREY COWBOY POETRY AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 15th Annual 
Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival. The Monterey Cowboy Poetry 
and Music Festival is a non-profit organization composed of a group of 
volunteers who love cowboy poetry, western music, cowboy movies and 
western art and gear. The volunteers work tirelessly to bring us the, 
``Cowboy Way of Life'' and its most talented musicians, poets and 
artisans to our region. I have a short poem by Monterey County 
resident, Wendy Brichnan, to read which captures the essence of this 
award-winning event.

        A Glance at the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival

     From the Land of the proud California Vaqueros
     set in beautiful Monterey, the first capital of California
     a modest festival has, for the past 15 years,
     celebrated the legendary Cowboy Way.

     Through cowboy poetry, through cowboy songs,
     through cowboy crafts and artifacts of the past,
     the Monterey Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival
     has shared important values that all should recall.

     Honesty, Integrity, Friendship and Loyalty
     Courage, Hard Work, and Dedication.
     Collaboration, Teamwork, and Honor.
     The Cowboy Code of Ethics is one to admire.

     Founded by former Monterey police chief, Gary Brown
     this special Cowboy Festival has shared highlights
     of the Western Heritage that Monterey County
     residents remember with pride.

     Mike Beck, Monterey native musician and horse trainer
     and visiting Western singers such as
     Juni Fisher, Dave Stamey, Don Edwards
     and others charm all ages with their prowess.

     Their clever and moving songs celebrating the
     spirit of the cowboy and cowgirls--
     through hundreds of years, and thousands of miles,
     and spark our imagination and pride.

     They bring the world of the cowboy alive
     with imagery that tugs at our hearts and minds

[[Page E1848]]

     wide open spaces, shady oak trees,
     whispering pines and swaying grasses.

     The jingle of spurs, the soaring hawks,
     the creak of leather, the sound of hooves,
     the cattle grazing down the hillside along the trails
     the heat of the day and the cool of the night.

     Amazing cowboy poets such as Paul Zarzyski,
     Diane Tribitt and Jim and Karen Ross
     reach us deep inside with their
     talented and humorous views of life. We
     see through their eyes, their minds, and their souls.

     Young poets and buckaroos come to the Festival
     and share their respect for cowboy lore,
     and adults step forward and recite
     their own memorable poems for all.

     It wasn't that long ago that renowned
     artist Jo Mora walked in Monterey
     and lived with the cowboys and Native Americans
      throughout the land.

     In his tradition, the Monterey Cowboy Festival
     looks to other multi-talented Western artists
     like Jack Swanson, Joelle Smith and many, many others
     who drew and painted and illustrated what came before them
     in the cowboy way of life.

     Salinas saddle-maker G. S. Garcia's granddaughter,
     steers this festival and allows us to admire
     the man whose saddle brought home the
     Gold Medal from the St. Louis World's Fair.

     And, artisans from around America journey west
     to Monterey to proudly display special
     Cowboy boots, jewelry, Navajo blankets
     and other symbols of our time-honored Western tradition.

     The cowboy today is still seen on the slopes of
     Monterey County in rambling ranches
     that stretch over mountain tops.
     The festival honors our hard-working ranchers
     like the Violinis, Dorrances, and Pedrazzis,
     and others who work with grazing
     cattle, day in and day out.

     And, training horses through their ``Feel'',
     a well-loved method developed by
     Monterey County's Bill Dorrance and carried on by
     Others, such as Marvin and Marguerite Roberts and
     Ray Hackworth revealing their unending respect for horses,
     also a part of the Monterey Cowboy Festival.

     The Festival's Saturday Night Dance lets everyone
     kick up their heels in the popular Texas Swing tradition
     performed by the always spunky Carolyn Martin Band,
     bringing back lots of foot-stomping fun.
     Raising money for the Salvation Army
     through its famous Cowboy Church on Sunday morning,
     with featured performers singing
     songs of respect for all religions,
     a tradition that graces the Festival stage.

     And during the year, too, always loved
     by teachers and students, learning history
     the very best way through real live demonstrations.
     The ``Cowboys in the Schools'' program
     Held each year and teaching so many local youth
     self esteem, history, cowboy culture and key values.

     The three day festival draws to a close and
     people meander out, sad that the time went to quickly,
     taking home special artifacts of the Cowboy Way.
     knowing they won't see some friends again until the next 
           time.
     but recharged with another year of Monterey memories.

  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Monterey County Poetry and Music 
Festival on their 15th anniversary. The Monterey County Poetry and 
Music Festival always bring the finest western entertainment; cowboy 
poets, western music entertainers, fine cowboy art and gear to 
Monterey, the first capitol of Old California. I give a sweeping ``Hats 
Off'' on their 15th anniversary and wish them many more years of 
success.

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