Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., will mark their calendars for the “National Day of the American Cowboy” this July 25, 2009. The resolution, which was introduced on May 12 and passed the Senate unanimously on June 8, honors the accomplishments and contributions of cowboys across the nation. This is the fifth annual National Day of the American Cowboy since Senator Craig Thomas began the tradition in 2005.
Thomas, a cowboy himself, honored the heritage of his home state and the West by sponsoring a resolution to name the fourth Saturday in July “National Day of the American Cowboy,” which coincides each year with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Since Thomas’ passing in 2007, Enzi has continued the tradition in honor of his legacy.
“I’m proud to be from a state that continues to live the cowboy tradition every day. Their contributions have helped shape what it means to be an American and have created a high standard we can all strive to meet. I am proud to continue Senator Thomas’ tradition of recognizing the many contributions cowboys have made to our country. I look forward to celebrating the National Day of the American Cowboy,” Enzi said.
“The cowboy is the icon of Wyoming, representing our history and way of life. Wyoming’s cowboy spirit and western values embodies all aspects of our lives. Independence, courage, family values, and good stewardship of the land are all virtues that every Wyomingite holds dear. The people of Wyoming are proud of our cowboys and cowgirls. They carry on our strong traditions and western values,” said Barrasso.
A copy Enzi’s statement is included below.
Floor Statement of Michael B. Enzi
National Day of the American Cowboy
June 4, 2009
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about one of the great icons of the American West – the Cowboy. The Cowboy is an enduring symbol of strong character, honesty, integrity, respect, and patriotism. I am proud to carry on a tradition started by my late colleague and friend Senator Craig Thomas by sponsoring Senate Resolution 142, which honors the men and women called “Cowboys” by designating July 25, 2009 as the National Day of the American Cowboy.
Craig truly showed us what it meant to be a cowboy. He knew that they come from all walks of life. Cowboys are men and women of any age, any race, and can be found across the country. The Cowboy Spirit isn’t about boots and spurs and a hat. It’s about strength of character, sound family values, courage, respect, and good common sense. Senator Thomas said, “Trying to define a cowboy is like trying to rope the wind, but you certainly recognize one when you see them.” It was easy to recognize that Senator Thomas truly was a Wyoming Cowboy in every sense of the word.
The cowboy way of life has been passed down for generations since the first cowboys settled the American West. They were true pioneers who came West to settle an untamed frontier. Many of the cowtowns that sprung up around the cattle business when the West was being settled are still there now. They continue to live their western heritage. 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 when the first wranglers and ranch hands started herding cattle on the Great Plains.
Today’s cowboys continue to rope and ride across the United States. They live and work in every state to manage nearly one hundred million cattle. They are an integral part of the economy of Wyoming and many other Western states. 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 eight long seconds. Rodeos across the nation, from big events like Cheyenne Frontier Days and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, to weekly small town jackpots at community arenas around the country draw millions of fans every year.
The cowboy legend still lives in our culture and our imaginations through music, movies, and books. From cowboy blockbusters on the big screen to the thousands of country radio stations on the air, the Cowboy remains a larger-than-life figure. We look up to cowboys because they are examples of honesty, integrity, character, patriotism and self-reliance. Cowboys have a strong work ethic, they are compassionate, and they are good stewards of the land. We look to cowboys as role models for how to live up to the best American qualities.
I’m proud to be from a state that continues to live the Cowboy tradition every day. Their contributions have helped shape what it means to be an American and have created a high standard we can all strive to meet. I am proud to continue Senator Thomas’s tradition of recognizing the many contributions Cowboys have made to our country. I look forward to celebrating the National Day of the American Cowboy on July 25, 2009.
