[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        WASHAKIE COUNTY, WYOMING

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to honor the residents 
of Washakie County, WY as they celebrate their Centennial.
  Located in northern Wyoming, and nestled in the Big Horn Basin, 
Washakie County is a great place to live and work. Nearly 8,500 
residents call Ten Sleep and Worland and the surrounding rural areas 
home. This unique county offers a glimpse into Wyoming's traditions and 
proud culture.
  Washakie County got its start when Wyoming Gov. Joseph M. Carey 
signed the enabling act on April 19, 1911. Worland was chosen over Ten 
Sleep in the election for county seat in November 1912 by a vote of 582 
to 245. County officers took their positions to launch the county in 
January 1913.
  Washakie County was named for the head chief of the Shoshone people, 
Chief Washakie. He was so important to our State and Nation that 
Wyoming chose to commemorate his leadership by placing a sculpture of 
him by Dave McGary in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center's Emancipation 
Hall.
  World-class archaeological sites are plentiful throughout the Big 
Horn Basin. Worland boasts one of the finest interpretive centers for 
geology, archaeology, and paleontology at the Washakie Museum and 
Cultural Center. Exhibits portray the historical people first 
inhabiting Wyoming's northern area. The Colby Mammoth Site near the Big 
Horn River contained some of the earliest known evidence of human 
activity in the Cowboy State. One of Washakie County's most famous 
citizens is George Frison. This world-renowned archeologist began a 
lifelong love of archeology when he found stone tools, rock shelters, 
and rock art on his family ranch near Ten Sleep. His study of the 
prehistoric hunters of the high plains earned him a place on the 
National Academy of Sciences.
  In the past 100 years, Washakie County has seen a variety of 
industries thrive and evolve. Agriculture has long been the backbone of 
the area. Pioneering irrigation districts made it possible for hard-
working operations to survive off the Big Horn River, fed by Wyoming's 
steep mountain snow runoff. Farmers spend their summer tending to the 
fields for a variety of crops, including barley for the hops component 
in MillerCoors and Budweiser products. A number of farms produce sugar 
beets that are processed by Wyoming Sugar Company LLC, which is owned 
by producer-investors. Other crops grown in the area include alfalfa, 
beans, beets, and corn.
  Residents of Washakie County have worked hard to ensure a healthy 
relationship between energy, natural resources, and agriculture. Oil 
reserves were discovered as far back as 1914. Coal bed methane has also 
boomed over the years, helping the United States move toward our goal 
of energy independence. Bentonite is abundant throughout the Basin, 
helping make Wyoming the leading bentonite supplier in the world.
  Ten Sleep currently holds the honor of Wyoming's ``Best Tasting 
Drinking Water'' proclaimed by the Wyoming Association of Rural Water 
Systems. Water from the Madison Aquifer is not only bragged about, it 
also provides the opportunity for a niche industry. Relied upon for 
decades by local farmers and ranchers, Aquavista 100% Pure Artesian 
Drinking Water is bottled locally. Admiral Beverage Corporation also 
utilizes the water source. Operations began in Worland in 1945 and they 
have become the primary supplier of carbonated soft drinks throughout 
the region.
  Washakie County welcomes all adventure seekers, young and old. In the 
winter, the Meadowlark Ski Lodge hosts skiers and snowboards within the 
boundaries of the Big Horn National Forest. Endless recreation 
opportunities can be found on over 900,000 acres of Bureau of Land 
Management public land access, including hunting, fishing, hiking, 
horseback riding, rock climbing, photography, and wildlife watching. In 
fact, you can still observe horses roaming the rolling hills and rugged 
canyons and badlands within the Fifteenmile Herd Management Area, 
established in 1985. US highway 16's Scenic Byway is an ideal route for 
travelers headed to Yellowstone. The majestic vistas, seen while 
driving though Ten Sleep Canyon, are unparalleled.
  It is an honor to recognize the residents of Washakie County as they 
celebrate their 100th anniversary. This year, the Washakie County 
Centennial Committee has planned a countywide celebration on July 12 
and 13 to commemorate this milestone. A committee of dedicated citizens 
spearheaded this celebration and deserves recognition. A big thank you 
goes to Cheri Shelp, Dustin Fuller, Lauree Schmeltzer, Phyllis Lewis, 
Bert Bresach, Linda Abell, and Sherryl Ferguson. I invite my colleagues 
to visit the communities of Washakie County. The county's rich 
heritage, geological wonders, and genuine cowboy hospitality provide a 
truly wonderful experience to visitors from all over the world.

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