Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution designating July 23, 2005, and July 26, 2006, as ``National Day of the American Cowboy.'' Although cowboys are typically characterized as young,…
Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution designating July 23, 2005, and July 26, 2006, as ``National Day of the American Cowboy.''
Although cowboys are typically characterized as young, single men, those of us who come from the West know that cowboys come in any age, race, marital status, and gender. One 19th-century definition described ``cowboy'' as ``anybody with guts and a horse.'' I personally believe trying to define a cowboy is like trying to rope the wind, but you certainly recognize one when you see them.
The Cowboy played a significant role in American history, specifically in establishing the American West. After the Civil War, there was an acute shortage of beef in the northern States. Western ranchers were burdened with an abundance of cattle and no railroads on which to ship them to market. Realizing the immense profit to be made, these cattlemen looked for the nearest railheads. Thus, began the era of the long cattle drive and the Cowboy.
As a result of these drives, cow towns sprung up at cattle shipping points. These areas began to grow and thrive as western communities. Even after the cattle drive era passed, many cow towns remained solid business and farming communities. Many remain so to this day.
The Cowboy continues to impact America through our economy and culture. Currently, there are approximately 800,000 ranchers conducting business in every State. These folks contribute to the economic well being of nearly every county in the Nation. Every 1 dollar in cattle sales generates about 5 dollars in additional U.S. business activity. Outside of business, cowboys also contribute significantly to humanitarian causes. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's activities alone raise millions of dollars for local and national charities each year.
Culturally, Americans have always idolized cowboys and their way of life. Most of us have fond memories of playing cowboys and outlaws, hearing stories of Buffalo Bill Cody's famous Wild West Show, or watching cowboy icons such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry and John Wayne. Western publications, music, television shows, movies and sporting events remain as abundant and popular as ever. In fact, rodeo, a sport which developed from the skills cowboys needed in their daily routine, is the sixth most watched sport in America.
Our country looks to cowboys as role models because we admire their esteemed and enduring code of conduct. Gene Autry's Cowboy Code does a nice job of illustrating the way a cowboy chooses to live. Cowboys are honest; they do not go back on their word. They have integrity and courage in the face of danger. Cowboys respect others, defend those who cannot defend themselves and hold their families dear. They are good stewards of the land and all its creatures, possess a strong work ethic, and are loyal to their country. The Cowboy lives his or her life in a way most cannot help but admire.
In my State, you do not have to go to the movie theater or a rodeo to see a cowboy. You see them every day on the street, in the grocery store, or driving into town from their ranches. Many of the Wyoming cowboys you see today are decedents of the cowboys that braved the frontier before Wyoming was a State. Like those before them, these folks still enjoy Wyoming's open spaces, know the satisfying feeling at the end of a good, hard day at work, and appreciate a smile or tip of the hat from a friendly neighbor. These westerners feel at home in Wyoming because they know it was, is and always will be cowboy country.
I know my State would not be the same without the contributions of cowboys, past and present, and I am sure many of my colleagues feel the same way. It is time for the American Cowboy to be recognized.
