[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          A COWBOY'S LAST RIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2000

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, family and friends recently said their final 
goodbyes to 101-year-old Paul T. Veluzat, one of the last of the 
American cowboys. He leaves behind a great legacy.
  Paul's travels as a cowboy and a shrewd businessman began on Dec. 6, 
1898, when he was born in Summershade, KY. At age 17 he went to work in 
a shipyard, then made his way to Texas where he joined the Texas 
Rangers. Paul was one of the first people to board the German submarine 
that sank the Lusitania, an event that precipitated the United States' 
entry into World War I.
  Paul's love of horses led him back and forth to Mexico, where he rode 
with the revolutionary, Francisco ``Pancho'' Villa. He eventually came 
to California where he worked as a bodyguard to industrialist J. Paul 
Getty and evangelist Aimee Semple MacPherson. He became a devout 
Christian--something his family and friends said was one of the most 
important aspects of his life. He purchased real estate throughout the 
Los Angeles area, including a ranch he called the ``Diamond B'' in 
Saugus where he ran cattle, and raised racehorses.
  Paul's passion for horses was as strong as his passion for 
filmmaking. The Veluzat family owns Melody Ranch, home to over 750 
``B'' western movies as well as other notable films and television 
shows such as the beloved Gunsmoke. ``Last Man Standing'' starring 
Bruce Willis was recently filmed there.
  Paul was very successful. He and his first wife, Opal, were simple 
and down to earth, they were astute in business and had unquestionable 
integrity. Paul's word was his bond. Ninety percent of his business was 
conducted by a handshake or over the phone. Paul's true success was 
measured by his deep spirituality and the love and respect he gained 
from his family and his many friends. He will be remembered as a 
generous man who was liked by all.
  Paul Veluzat is survived by Rosa, his wife of 14 years, his sons, 
Rene, Andre and Renaud, four grandchildren, Shantel Hudson, Daniel, 
Paul and Marcel Veluzat, three great-grandchildren and many, many 
friends.

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