[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7597]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              COWBOY VIGIL

 Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. President, I today honor a great American, a 
great Coloradan, and a great Puebloan.
  Alcario Vigil was born and raised in the San Luis Valley in Colorado 
and on April 1st turned 100 years old. His life has been rich with 
accomplishments and extraordinary devotion to his family, his friends, 
and his community.
  Known as ``Cowboy,'' Alcario Vigil grew up in Lobatos, CO, just down 
the road from the Salazar family ranch in the San Luis Valley. Like 
most of his neighbors, he was brought up in a poor family and 
eventually took over responsibility for his parents' ranch with his 
wife Sophia. Together, the Vigil family survived the hardships of the 
Great Depression and raised eight children on the Lobatos family ranch, 
where they prospered and strengthened Colorado and this country.
  Throughout his life, Alcario has been respected as an outstanding 
community servant, a devoted husband, and a loving father. He has a 
remarkable record serving as a Penitente for more than 70 years. He has 
passed those values to his descendents, some of whom are now seventh-
generation Coloradans.
  Although ``Cowboy'' lost his devoted wife Sofia in 1994, and his son 
Jose just 2 years ago, Alcario remains strong and healthy in his Pueblo 
home. Even at 100 years, he works the ranch's irrigation ditches in the 
summer months and enjoys visits from his family and friends.
  The Pueblo County Commission recently declared April 1, 2005, to be 
``Alcario (Cowboy) Vigil Day.'' Given all he has done and all he has 
seen, I think every day ought to be Alcario ``Cowboy'' Vigil 
Day.

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