[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E175-E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING NATHANIEL ``REX'' PUREFOY, THE ``HOLLYWOOD COWBOY''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2026

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor Kansas 
City's very own ``Hollywood Cowboy,'' Nathaniel ``Rex'' Purefoy, who 
has dedicated his life to preserving the legacy and culture of African 
American cowboys through performances and storytelling. Let us take a 
moment to recognize this extraordinary individual in Missouri's 5th 
Congressional District who has captivated the public with his unique 
horsemanship and roping techniques for over 50 years.
  African American cowboys were an essential part of American history 
in the various territories and into statehood for many states. They 
worked on ranches and in cattle drives on trails coming through mid-
western states such as Missouri and Kansas before the Civil War and 
through the early 1900s. They also performed in rodeos when not on the 
trail.
  In Kansas City, native Rex Purefoy further contributed to ensuring 
that generations upon generations did not forget about African American 
cowboy culture but rather embrace its heritage and celebrate it. Along 
with his loyal partner, his horse Ringo, Rex brought his famous 
``Hollywood Cowboy Show,'' a performance full of rope twirling, music, 
and Western fashion across the United States. As an avid trick-roper 
and horseman, Rex traveled across state lines performing in rodeos, 
shows, parades, and even performed with the Barnum and Bailey Circus 
and The UniverSoul Circus for many years.
  In addition to his own shows and live performances, Rex was a special 
guest star in

[[Page E176]]

the 1970s ``The Flip Wilson Show'' and had cameo roles in movies and 
local Kansas City area television programs. As a testament to his 
talents, Rex appeared in a critically acclaimed movie with boxing 
legend Muhammad Ali entitled ``The Black Rodeo,'' in 1972. Rex's 
commitment to create not only an entertaining performance but one that 
would leave the audience with a lasting memory of African American 
culture led to him being recognized nationally, becoming an inductee of 
the National Cowboys of Color Museum and the Hall of Fame.
  Beyond his work as a performer, Rex has found other ways to further 
protect the legacy of African American cowboys. Working as a 
photographer, Rex has documented other African American cowboys and the 
Black community, submitting the works to noted Black publications to 
preserve their history. He has contributed to numerous photographs to 
African American publications, such as Jet Magazine, Ebony Magazine, 
The Kansas City Call newspaper, The Kansas City GLOBE newspaper, The 
Next Page KC newspaper, The Carolina Times, and the New Jersey Gazette.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating the 
contributions that Nathaniel ``Rex'' Purefoy has provided to the 
African American community and the United States overall. We thank Rex 
for sharing a piece of history with our community and feel more at ease 
knowing that the legacy of African American cowboys has been preserved 
for years to come.

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