[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 17, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING THE RENO RODEO

 Mr. HELLER. Madam President, today I wish to recognize the 
95th year of the Annual Reno Rodeo, the ``Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the 
West''. Revered by some as the greatest outdoor rodeo in the world, I, 
along with my fellow Nevadans, are proud that it has called the great 
State of Nevada home for so many years.
  The Reno Rodeo was started in 1919 by local community leaders and has 
grown exponentially in the past 95 years, offering Nevadans and rodeo 
goers nationwide a place to truly experience the gritty, energetic 
entertainment that the Wild West is best known for. For generations 
fans have been flocking to Reno to see some of our Nation's toughest 
cowboys and cowgirls compete in ten days of competition, showcasing 
their amazing talents, from roping to bull riding. This event has 
become a yearly tradition for many Nevada families, including my own, 
and is the source of many cherished memories. As rodeo lovers, my wife 
Lynne and I have proudly ridden in the Reno Rodeo Parade on our horses, 
Jackson and Cruise, and Lynne has had the privilege of singing the 
National Anthem at the Rodeo's opening several times.
  From its start as a charitable organization in 1986, the Reno Rodeo 
Foundation has focused its mission on benefitting and enriching the 
lives of Nevada families in need. With the help of over 500 dedicated 
volunteers in the community, the Reno Rodeo Foundation has made a 
tradition of giving the annual proceeds of the event back to the 
residents of Nevada in a variety of ways. The organization has used the 
proceeds to build a horseback riding facility for Marvin Piccolo, a 
school for children with special physical or mental needs in Reno, and 
has created a recreation center on the Kids' Kampus to benefit abused 
and neglected children in protective custody. These are just a few 
examples of how the rodeo gives back to the Silver State. I am both 
humbled and honored to recognize the Reno Rodeo here today for donating 
over $1 million in the form of scholarships, children's charities, high 
school rodeo, literacy programs, and much more.
  I ask my colleagues to join me and all Nevadans in recognizing Reno 
Rodeo, a special event that has proudly called Nevada home for the past 
95 years, and I would like to offer the best of luck to all who are 
participating in this year's events.

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