[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13254-13255]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 15, 2010

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the California Rodeo 
Salinas on the occasion of its centennial anniversary. For 100 years, 
the California Rodeo Salinas has both preserved the legacy of 
California's early Spanish ranchero culture and supported countless 
charitable and community endeavors in the Salinas Valley.
  The Salinas Rodeo is the largest rodeo in the state of California 
with more than 50,000 visitors each year. Locals take great pride in 
the event and insist on its Spanish pronunciation as the ``row-day-
oh.''

[[Page 13255]]

  In 1911, civic boosters organized the first rodeo as a Wild West Show 
and attracted a trainload of visitors from San Francisco. Crowds 
steadily grew in the following years and it became one of the largest 
rodeo competitions in the world. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, 
the Rodeo organizers canceled the event for the duration of the war. It 
wasn't until 1947 that the organizers were able to restart the show.
  The Salinas Rodeo is held every July and includes a range of rodeo 
competitions, including professional bull riding, bareback riding, bull 
fighting, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wresting and team 
roping. Nearly 1,000 contestants compete every year from all over the 
United States and Mexico for prize money totaling $300,000.
  The event also includes other events including the Kiddie Kapers 
Western themed kids costume parade, the Colmo del Rodeo lighted night 
parade, the downtown horse parade and the Miss California Rodeo Salinas 
pageant. In 2008, the Rodeo was honored with their induction into the 
Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
  The Rodeo has also been an active partner in the community. Through 
the Rodeo, local schools and charities are given the opportunity to 
earn money every year by selling goods during the event. The Rodeo also 
gives out scholarships annually to several high school seniors. Over 
the years, these community contributions have totaled over $250,000. 
And the Salinas Valley community has embraced the Rodeo, making the 
event its own and providing more than 1,200 volunteers each year.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I want to hold up the California Rodeo 
Salinas as a cultural event that brings joy and prosperity to its 
community every year. May its continued success inspire many more 
generations to celebrate our nation's cultural heritage and participate 
in its future.

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