[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S26-S27]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING MIKE SULLIVAN

 Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I 
wish to honor my friend, former Wyoming Governor Mike Sullivan, who is 
being recognized as the 2016 National Western Stock Show's Citizen of 
the West. It is fitting that Mike was chosen for this special award. He 
joins a long line of honorees known for their values, ingenuity, and 
hard work. Mike, a cowboy in every sense of the word, carries these 
traits and many more in his heart and soul.
  Mike grew up in the prairie lands of Douglas, WY. His formative years 
were spent riding horses, shooting coffee cans, and enjoying the vast 
opportunities for recreation around the area. This appreciation led to 
a lifelong love of the State and her people.
  He was enamored with one Wyoming native in particular. Mike met Jane 
Metzler, who was born in Riverton and raised in Powell, during their 
studies at the University of Wyoming. Both of them were involved in 
social clubs and organizations. They even served together in the 
Associated Students of the University of Wyoming Student Senate. In 
1961, the sweethearts were married. As they put down roots in Casper, 
they never lost sight of the important values that guide the people of 
our great State.
  Wyoming is the first State to adopt an official code of ethics, which 
we proudly call our Cowboy Ethics. This list of 10 principles serves as 
a guide for the modern cowboy and represents the distinct values that 
the American West is famous for.
  One of the tenets, ``Take pride in your work,'' brings to mind Mike 
and his incredible work ethic. With a petroleum engineering degree and 
a law degree, both earned at the University of Wyoming, Mike set his 
sights on practicing law. Well-loved and respected by many in the 
State, he ran--and was elected--to be Wyoming's 29th Governor in 1986. 
During his two terms, he governed the way he practiced law, with common 
sense and general decency.
  His leadership was crucial as at that time the State was experiencing 
one of

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its most economically trying periods. Falling oil and gas prices 
provided an opportunity for him to reach across the aisle and work with 
Democrats and Republicans alike to develop solutions to benefit the 
State and her residents. He is well known for his bipartisanship, which 
has brought lasting change and has resulted in a better quality of life 
for everyone living in the West.
  His political career did not end after serving as Governor. In 1999, 
President Bill Clinton appointed him to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to 
Ireland. He graciously accepted the position, and he and Jane moved to 
Dublin. His service as Ambassador surpassed all expectations of 
success. Mike was instrumental in the implementation of the Good Friday 
Agreement in the United Kingdom. With his special brand of warmth, 
humility, and integrity, Mike dutifully served both the United States 
and the world in this important role.
  Another of the principles listed in the Cowboy Ethics code is ``Ride 
for the brand.'' Upon meeting him, it is immediately apparent that Mike 
lives and breathes the spirit of the West. He has an intimate knowledge 
of the issues facing western States today, including the challenges of 
balancing energy development with natural resource preservation.
  He is a natural leader, and his passion for the State has served him 
well in many other important roles. During his tenure as Governor, he 
was the chairman of the Western Governors' Association, as well as the 
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, which focuses on the 
responsible, environmentally sound development of America's oil and gas 
resources. He has won numerous awards in honor of his service and 
commitment to giving back, including a Distinguished Service Medal from 
the Wyoming National Guard, an award of merit from the Wyoming Heritage 
Society, and the President's Award from the Wyoming State Bar. Despite 
these grand honors, Mike remains humble, choosing to spend time with 
his wife and family while enhancing his community and State. He 
certainly does ride for the brand.
  Mike's accomplishments are numerous, and for every one of them, his 
beloved wife, Jane Metzler Sullivan, has been by his side. As a third 
generation Wyoming native, Jane possesses an incredible value system 
reflective of the State's moral compass. Every bit a presence as her 
husband, Jane prides herself on making contributions to her community 
and State. She once said, ``Communities give us the opportunity to make 
our lives meaningful.'' The couple has been married for 54 years. 
Today, they enjoy the company of their three children and their 
spouses: Michelle Sullivan and Bryan Kuehl, Patrick and Ming Sullivan, 
and Theresa and JR Twiford. They adore their seven grandchildren: 
Patrick, Maggie, Caitie, Caitlyn, Michael, Jack, and Julia. I am 
confident that both Mike and Jane delight in sharing the best parts of 
their souls with their loving family.
  Mike has been gifted with bright ideas and a subtle sense of humor. 
He is jovial and kind and remains deeply active in the community of 
Casper. Folks who know him love him. He is a seasoned diplomat, a 
generous patron, and a passionate advocate for Wyoming. He champions 
Wyoming's cowboy spirit, and his mission to preserve and share the 
legacy of the American West with others is truly outstanding.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in celebrating this incredible man 
as he is named the 2016 Citizen of the West. We simply could not ask 
for a better leader, role model, or friend.

                          ____________________