[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Page 25943]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO STEVE PILCHER

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment today 
to honor Steve Pilcher, a leader in the Montana livestock industry. At 
the end of this year, Steve will retire from his years of service as 
executive vice president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association. His 
service will be missed, but the values and leadership Steve brought to 
the organization will continue on.
  Many American children grew up with the Saturday Western matinee as 
the high point of their week. The ideals shared by those men in their 
white Stetsons were strong, moral, and enduring. There were some great 
rules to live by that were shared by the cowboys on the Silver Screen.
  Steve took every one of those lessons to heart. He not only believes 
in the ``Code of the West'' those cowboys shared with us, he continues 
to live it, both in his personal life and his professional life.
  Hopalong Cassidy had a Creed for American Girls and Boys. The first 
rule in his creed was, ``The highest badge of honor a person can wear 
is honesty, be mindful at all times.'' Regardless of the fallout, Steve 
does not believe in bandying the truth. He is always a square shooter. 
He has taken the heat many times for standing by the truth, but Steve 
is a man of honor. He knows the truth is worth whatever adversity it 
brings from others who do not feel the same way.
  Gene Autry offered the Ten Commandments of the Cowboy. The first 
commandment said, ``A cowboy never takes unfair advantage.'' Steve has 
always worked hard to prove that the ranchers in Montana expect only 
what they earn. He knows that you have to work those extra hours to 
make sure things are fair. Nothing is given to you.
  Also, there was the Lone Rangers Creed. Perhaps the part Steve took 
to heart the most was, ``God put the firewood here but every man must 
gather and light it himself.'' There is no doubt Steve Pilcher has been 
gathering the firewood for the Montana Stock-growers. He has worked 
tirelessly for this industry and I know he will continue to light that 
fire.
  As we recognize Steve Pilcher for his major contributions to not only 
Montana's livestock community but the Nation's, there is one more thing 
that I must add: Happy Trails my friend, until we meet again.

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