[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7724]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 470--DESIGNATING JULY 28, 2012, AS ``NATIONAL DAY OF 
                         THE AMERICAN COWBOY''

  Mr. ENZI (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. 
Conrad, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Johanns, Mr. Johnson of 
South Dakota, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Reid Mr. Risch, and Mr. Tester) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 470

       Whereas pioneering men and women, recognized as 
     ``cowboys'', helped establish the American West;
       Whereas the cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, 
     compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism;
       Whereas the cowboy spirit exemplifies strength of 
     character, sound family values, and good common sense;
       Whereas the cowboy archetype transcends ethnicity, gender, 
     geographic boundaries, and political affiliations;
       Whereas the cowboy is an excellent steward of the land and 
     its creatures, who lives off the land and works to protect 
     and enhance the environment;
       Whereas cowboy traditions have been a part of American 
     culture for generations;
       Whereas the cowboy continues to be an important part of the 
     economy through the work of many thousands of ranchers across 
     the United States who contribute to the economic well-being 
     of every State;
       Whereas millions of fans watch professional and working 
     ranch rodeo events annually, making rodeo one of the most-
     watched sports in the United States;
       Whereas membership and participation in rodeo and other 
     organizations that promote and encompass the livelihood of 
     cowboys span every generation and transcend race and gender;
       Whereas the cowboy is a central figure in literature, film, 
     and music and occupies a central place in the public 
     imagination;
       Whereas the cowboy is an American icon; and
       Whereas the ongoing contributions made by cowboys and 
     cowgirls to their communities should be recognized and 
     encouraged: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates July 28, 2012, as ``National Day of the 
     American Cowboy''; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I am proud to submit a resolution today to 
designate Saturday, July 28, 2012 as National Day of the American 
Cowboy. My late colleague, Senator Craig Thomas, began the tradition of 
honoring the men and women known as ``cowboys'' seven years ago when he 
introduced the first resolution to designate the fourth Saturday of 
July as National Day of the American Cowboy. I am proud to carry on 
Senator Thomas's tradition.
  The resolution celebrates the history of cowboys in America and 
recognizes the important work today's cowboys are doing in the United 
States. The cowboy Spirit is about honesty, integrity, courage, and 
patriotism, and cowboys are models of strong character, sound family 
values, and good common sense. The first cowboys relied on hard work 
and persistence to make their living in a tough country. Today's 
cowboys haven't changed all that much from the first wranglers and 
ranch hands who started herding cattle on the Great Plains.
  Cowboys continue to make important contributions to our economy, 
Western culture and my home State of Wyoming today. They live and work 
in every State to manage nearly 100 million cattle. Cowboys work hard, 
but they also play hard. Rodeo is a sport that tests skill with a rope 
or challenges a cowboy's ability to stay on the back of bucking rough 
stock for 8 long seconds. Rodeos across the nation draw millions of 
fans every year.
  This year's resolution designates July 28, 2012, as the National Day 
of the American Cowboy. I look forward to celebrating this day, and I 
hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the important role 
cowboys play in our country.

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