[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 133 (Tuesday, August 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATING THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL GERRY RODEO

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                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 6, 2019

  Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the seventy-
fifth annual Gerry Rodeo.
  The village of Gerry in western New York is the proud home of the 
oldest consecutive rodeo east of the Mississippi. Each year 
approximately seven thousand fans, and two hundred and fifty cowboys 
and cowgirls travel to Gerry, NY to enjoy the competition. For four 
days the quiet village of Gerry becomes ``The Rodeo Capital of the 
East''.
  The Gerry Rodeo began in 1945, when a former working cowboy named 
Jack Cox moved from the West to Gerry and suggested a rodeo as a way of 
fundraising for the newly formed fire department. In seventy days fire 
department members and volunteers transformed four acres of swampland 
into an arena and parking lot, borrowing bleachers from local schools 
and renting portable lights.
  From the very beginning, the Gerry Fire Department wanted to ensure 
their rodeo was a top-notch competition and for that reason, they have 
always ensured their rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo 
Cowboys' Association. Today, the competition consists of the same 
competitive events as the first Rodeo seventy-five years ago: bareback 
bronc riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer 
wrestling, team roping, and cowgirls' barrel racing.
  Seventy-five years of community tradition is certainly a cause for 
celebration. I congratulate the Gerry Rodeo on this impressive 
milestone and look forward to many more rodeos in the years to come.
  Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its 
deliberations and join me to celebrate the seventy-fifth annual Gerry 
Rodeo.

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