[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 184 (Wednesday, November 30, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6897-S6898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CENTENNIAL OF SUBLETTE COUNTY, WYOMING

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the centennial 
of Sublette County, WY.
  Sublette County is stunning. Located in western Wyoming, Sublette 
County's 3.2 million acres is home to 8,424 residents. Its residents 
are fortunate to live in the authentically western and unique 
communities of Marbleton, Pinedale, Big Piney, Bondurant, Daniel, Cora, 
and Boulder.
  Officially recognized on February 15, 1921, Sublette County was the 
last established county in the State. Its namesake originates from 
William T. Sublette, a famous fur trapper who frequented the annual 
Trappers' Rendezvous held in the region.
  Sublette County was a popular hub for mountain men and fur traders, 
given the nearby fur-rich streams and lakes. It was home to some of the 
best beaver trapping in the Rocky Mountains. It became the ideal place 
to host the annual Trappers' Rendezvous six times between 1825 and 
1840. The rendezvous allowed mountain men to trade their pelts for 
yearly supplies.
  Today, the county celebrates the legacy of the mountain men with its 
annual Green River Rendezvous held every summer in Pinedale.
  In addition to trapping, cattle ranching was prominent throughout the 
region. Thanks to the region's moderate climate, prairie-grass was 
available year-round for the cattle to graze.
  Today, farms and ranches lead the county as one of the top economic 
drivers. The county houses over 57,000 head of cattle, 3,200 horses, as 
well as sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry, and produces potatoes, melons, 
and vegetables. Livestock and livestock products produce

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over 87 percent of the agricultural sales in the county, while crop 
production generates 13 percent.
  The rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains including the Wind River, 
Gros Ventre, and the Wyoming Ranges attracts thousands of tourists 
every year. The county hosts the highest peak in Wyoming, Gannett Peak, 
at 13,810 feet. Sublette County is home to more than 1,300 lakes, 
nearly one-third of all the lakes in Wyoming. The county also contains 
the headwaters of the Green River, America's 15th largest river.
  Sublette County's tourism originated with the establishment of one of 
the first Wyoming dude ranches, created by Billy Wells in 1887. Located 
in the Upper Green River Valley, guests visited the Billy Wells Dude 
Ranch to experience the cowboy culture and mountain living. Following 
the Great Depression, the popularity of dude ranches declined but their 
existence jump-started the tourism industry and it still remains one of 
Sublette County's main revenue sources.
  The most recent income generator in Sublette County is the production 
of crude oil and natural gas. The Pinedale Anticline Project Area--
PAPA--and the Jonah Field are two of the largest natural gas 
developments in Wyoming. Together, they have earned the county the top 
spot in the State for natural gas production.
  From the Native American Wardell Buffalo Trap and the Oregon Trail, 
to the Mountain Men and the cowboys, Sublette County's history is 
filled with incredible stories that shaped the West. Its heritage and 
abundant resources fashioned the economic industries prominent in the 
county today. The county's residents continue to contribute to its 
success and are fortunate to be a part of the beautiful communities 
that make up Sublette County.
  The 2022 Sublette County government is led by these officials: Joel 
Bousman Chairman, Board of County Commissioners Doug Vickrey Member, 
Board of County Commissioners Sam White Member, Board of County 
Commissioners Dave Stephens Member, Board of County Commissioners Tom 
Noble Member, Board of County Commissioners Carrie Long County Clerk 
Emily Paravicini County Treasurer Matthew Gaffney County Administrator 
Laila Illoway County Assessor Mike Crosson County Attorney K.C. Lehr 
County Sheriff Curt Covill County Coroner Shad Cooper Fire Warden 
Dennis Fornstrom County Planner Brendan Fitzsimmons County Health 
Officer Jimmy Mitchell Emergency Management Coordinator Andre Irey 
Maintenance Superintendent Jay Brower Fairgrounds Manager Billy Pape 
Superintendent, Road & Bridge Ben Schornak Sanitarian Kenna Tanner SAR 
Coordinator Skylar Wilson County Surveyor
  Special thanks must be given to the Sublette County Centennial 
Committee: Mary Lankford, Clint Gilchrist, Betty Fear, Tim Thompson, 
Janet Montgomery, Debbee Woyciesjes and Todd Brown.
  In honor of the 100th anniversary of Sublette County, I urge my 
colleagues to see the rugged beauty and immerse themselves in the 
industrialized frontier culture. I applaud the citizens who have worked 
tirelessly to introduce the county to the modern era while also 
conserving and celebrating its rich history. They should be proud to 
welcome this momentous accomplishment.

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