[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 111 (Monday, July 11, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S4941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CYNTHIA LUMMIS

  Mr. ENZI. Madam President, each year the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of 
Fame asks for nominations of farmers, ranchers, and others who 
contribute to the agriculture industry in Wyoming. After the 
nominations are received, a panel of three judges selects those who 
will be added to the hall of fame. This year U.S. Representative 
Cynthia Lummis is one of the hall's inductees. I think it's fitting 
that Cynthia is being added to the hall of fame's roster on its 25th 
anniversary because her participation, encouragement, and support of 
our State's farmers and ranchers deserve to be recognized on a 
momentous occasion for the Hall itself.
  Cynthia has a long background in agriculture, beginning on her 
family's ranch on Crow Creek. Growing up, she learned about the 
importance of being a good steward of the land, how to tend her 
family's livestock, and how to make good use of all the resources that 
were at her disposal. She also participated in 4-H, raising shorthorn 
cattle. Over time Cynthia became a skilled horseman, and she used that 
talent to good effect at the world's largest outdoor rodeo: Cheyenne 
Frontier Days.
  In fact, Cynthia was such an important addition to the ``Daddy of `em 
All'' that she is also being inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days 
Hall of Fame this year. It is worth noting that her parents, Doran and 
Enid, and her whole family have already been inducted into that hall, 
but this year, Cynthia will be recognized for her singular 
contributions, from repairing parade costumes to serving as ``Miss 
Frontier.'' Cynthia is fully deserving of that honor, and this is just 
another example of the mark she has left on every corner of our State.
  At the University of Wyoming, Cynthia received degrees in animal 
science and biology and was a member of the rodeo team. She then became 
the youngest woman ever elected to the Wyoming Legislature and also 
earned a law degree from UW. She put that degree to use as a clerk for 
the Wyoming Supreme Court and in private practice.
  After serving 14 years in the Wyoming House and Senate, where she 
focused largely on agriculture and natural resources issues, Cynthia 
served as Governor Geringer's policy director and was then elected 
State treasurer. While serving as treasurer, Cynthia became the first 
woman on the Cheyenne Frontier Days board of directors. For all of 
these reasons and more, Cynthia was named a 2005 Outstanding Alumna for 
the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture.
  But Cynthia wasn't done fighting for Wyoming or the agriculture 
industry. In 2008, she took the next step in her political career and 
was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Cynthia has proven to 
be up to the challenge of being our State's lone voice in the House, 
and I have been proud to work with her.
  Through all of this, Cynthia has been active in the operations of the 
Lummis family ranch. I am sure she will continue to work on behalf of 
the State and the industry that she has loved her entire life.
  I want to extend my congratulations to Cynthia for everything she has 
accomplished and for her induction into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of 
Fame. She would be the first to say she couldn't have done it alone, so 
I also want to recognize Cynthia's family and in particular her 
daughter, Annaliese, and her husband, Al. For years, Cynthia and Alvin 
were a team that took on the issues that will direct the future of 
Wyoming and our Nation, and I know Alvin would be so proud of her 
recognition in the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.

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