[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE RED STEAGALL COWBOY HERITAGE AND RANCH RODEO 30TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAY GRANGER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 2021

  Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th 
anniversary of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering. Established three 
decades ago, this multi-faceted event started at the Cowtown Coliseum 
in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. Named after 
famed American Western musician and poet Russell ``Red'' Steagall, this 
three-day gathering brings together more than 30,000 people each year 
from across the globe. The first gathering began as a celebration of 
cowboy poetry, which grew from the tradition of cowboys telling stories 
over campfires.
  The Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering that exists today still honors the 
roots of cowboy poetry, but it has evolved into a much larger 
celebration of music, poetry, and more. To kick off the gathering, one 
of the last authentic wagon trains is formed by participants throughout 
the state, travelling to various ranches across Texas until they arrive 
at the Fort Worth Stockyards to kick-off the festivities. The Western 
Swing Festival & Dance features musical performances each night of the 
event by artists such as Bobby Flores, Jake Hooker, and Red Steagall 
himself.
  Rodeo is also a major part of the heart and soul of this gathering, 
with multiple events featuring competing ranches that battle for 
bragging rights and the opportunity to showcase the skill and grit of 
the cowboys who work this lifestyle every day. One of the greatest 
accomplishments of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, however, is the 
scholarships provided to students interested in Western culinary arts, 
poetry, and swing music. To date, the gathering has awarded more than 
$1 million in scholarships, with over $250,000 coming from the Youth 
Poetry Contest alone, to those students who are looking to keep these 
traditions alive for generations to come.
  Our community owes a great deal to Red Steagall for hosting this 
gathering and helping shape the world-renowned event that it has become 
today. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 30th 
anniversary of the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering, and the executive 
producers, Mr. Red Steagall himself, Mr. Steve Murrin, Mr. Hub Baker 
and Mr. Jim Calhoun, Jr., along with the countless others who make this 
time-honored event possible, and all that this tremendous family event 
does to bring together Fort Worth and the entire state of Texas each 
year to share our mutual passion.

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