[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6532-S6533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BARBARA CUBIN

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
Barbara Cubin, former U.S. House Representative and the Boys and Girls 
Club of Central Wyoming's 2025 Person of the Year.
  Barbara's dedication to Wyoming runs deep. She is a voice for the 
values of the West. Through a distinguished career in public service, 
Barbara has represented Casper, Natrona County, and Wyoming at the 
State and Federal levels. Her selection as this year's honoree is well-
deserved.

[[Page S6533]]

  Barbara was raised in Casper by her parents Russell and Barbara Sage. 
As a fifth-generation Wyomingite, she developed strong ties to the 
community and State. In 1965, she graduated from Natrona County High 
School. She went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in chemistry 
from Creighton University in Nebraska.
  After graduation, Barbara worked as a social worker for senior 
citizens and disabled adults. She was also a substitute math and 
science teacher and a chemist for the Wyoming Machinery Company.
  In 1975, she met and married William Frederick ``Fritz'' Cubin, M.D., 
a Casper physician. Together, they raised two sons William ``Bill'' and 
Eric. During this time, Barbara managed Fritz's medical practice. She 
also continued to be active in the community, participating in the 
local parent-teacher association and as a volunteer.
  With her family's support, Barbara's political career began in 1986, 
when she was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. She 
represented Natrona County for 6 years. She later served in the Wyoming 
Senate from 1992 to 1994.
  In 1994, Barbara successfully ran for Wyoming's at-large seat in the 
U.S. House of Representatives. As the Equality State, Wyoming is well-
known for its notable, pioneering women. Barbara added her name to this 
list of trailblazing women by becoming the first woman to represent 
Wyoming in Congress.
  She was sworn into the 104th U.S. Congress in January 1995. During 
her 14-year tenure, she served as the deputy majority whip, the 
secretary of the Republican Conference, and finally as the deputy 
Republican whip. She also served on the Commerce Committee--later 
renamed the Energy and Commerce Committee--and as the chair of the 
Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee.
  Barbara cofounded the Congressional Mining Caucus, known today as the 
Congressional Western Caucus. Its members advocate for commonsense 
policies that promote domestic energy production and fight against 
Federal overreach.
  In all ways, Barbara was pro-energy and pro-Wyoming. She championed 
legislation that reduced Federal royalties on soda ash production, 
increased the acreage limits on Federal sodium mines, and supported an 
``all of the above'' national energy portfolio.
  She also was passionate about preserving Wyoming's heritage. In 1998, 
she passed legislation establishing the National Historic Trails 
Interpretive Center in Casper. The center's free, interactive exhibits 
highlight the real-life stories of America's westward migration and how 
they defined Wyoming. Last November, I joined my congressional 
colleagues in introducing legislation to rename the center as the 
Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in her 
honor.
  Barbara's final term ended in January 2009. I had the honor of 
working alongside her at the beginning of my first term in the U.S. 
Senate. It was a privilege to serve the people of Wyoming together.
  On September 17, 2025, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming 
will host their 27th Annual Awards and Recognition Breakfast in Casper. 
This event will honor Barbara Cubin for her dedication and service to 
the State of Wyoming.
  I am confident her family will join many others in celebrating her 
achievements. They include son Dr. Eric and Dr. Jonna Cubin, of Casper, 
and their children Barbara, Vivian, and Lily; son Bill and Jessica 
Cubin, of Casper, and their children Will and Reagan; as well as her 
late husband Fritz.
  Barbara's selection as the Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming's 
2025 Person of the Year is a fitting tribute to her decades of public 
service. A symbol of strength and perseverance, Barbara continues to 
make important contributions to her community. She lives by the 
principles of the Code of the West: living each day with courage and 
doing what needs to be done.
  It is an honor to recognize Barbara Cubin for this honor and for her 
many years of public service.

                          ____________________