National Day of the American Cowboy

[Sam Hane]

RESOLUTION

Designating July 23, 2005, as `National Day of the American Cowboy.

Whereas pioneering men and women, recognized as cowboys, helped establish
the American West;

Whereas that cowboy spirit continues to infuse this country with its solid
character, sound family values, and good common sense;

Whereas the cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion,
respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism;

Whereas the cowboy loves, lives off of, and depends on the land and its
creatures, and is an excellent steward, protecting and enhancing the
environment;

Whereas the cowboy continues to play a significant role in America's culture
and economy;

Whereas approximately 800,000 ranchers are conducting business in all 50 of
these United States and are contributing to the economic well being of
nearly every county in the Nation;

Whereas rodeo is the sixth most-watched sport in America;

Whereas membership in rodeo and other organizations surrounding the
livelihood of a cowboy transcends race and gender and spans every
generation;

Whereas the cowboy is an American icon;

Whereas to recognize the American cowboy is to acknowledge America's ongoing
commitment to an esteemed and enduring code of conduct; and

Whereas the ongoing contributions made by cowboys to their communities
should be recognized and encouraged: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates July 23, 2005, 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.


Celebrating National Day of the American Cowboy
By Richard Keller

July 23 is the National Day of the American Cowboy, as proclaimed by the
United States Senate. Communities and organizations are being encouraged to
conduct ceremonies and activities as part of a national celebration.

Being a cowboy has multiple connotations, but in general, cowboys are
perceived in a positive light. Many Farm Bureau members prefer to be called
cowboys although city slickers would call them cattlemen or ranchers.

The positives of being a cowboy are included in the resolution passed by the
Senate and introduced by Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyoming), with several western
state co-sponsors.

Whether they were originally homesteaders or cowboys, the pioneers that
established the Western states infused ³this country with its solid
character, sound family values and good common sense,² as the Senate
resolution expresses.

After first viewing the open spaces, many western-bound migrants, who
eventually became cowboys, expressed in their diaries a love of the land,
its beauty and the creatures that it supported. Yet today the writings of
cowboys in poetic songs express the same thing.

More importantly, today our rancher cowboys continue to be awed by the land
they oversee, and they are excellent stewards, protecting and enhancing the
environment.

Cowboys are definitely not an icon of western bygone days. The senators
recognize that the rancher cowboy continues to ³play a significant role in
America¹s culture and economy.²

Although cowboys and the west are synonymous with each other, ranchers
aren¹t just found in the west. They are found in all 50 states; the
agricultural census lists 800,000 ranchers doing business in the country.
This large number of businessmen adds significantly to our country¹s
economy.

The Farm Bureau agrees that the contributions made by cowboys to their
communities and the world should be recognized and encouraged.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, working with Nashville-based cowboy
singer and songwriter, Randy Huston, has distributed radio public service
announcements saluting cowboy ranchers and raising awareness about National
Day of the Cowboy.

Farm Bureau ranchers do a tremendous job in raising livestock for feeding
the world, and they do it just as the Senate resolution proclaims with
³honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and
patriotism.²

And as Huston says in the Farm Bureau public service radio spots, ³let¹s
give them a tip of the hat² on July 23.


Richard Keller is a director of news services for the American Farm Bureau
Federation.
--
Roger S. Banks
WMA­ Executive Director
3342 Cedar Hill
San Angelo, Texas  76904
Tel: (325) 949-6870

Western Music Association
<http://westernmusic.org/>

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Is this a one shot deal, or a yearly event now?..........Buck

[litl rooster]

Sometimes there's more to fancy shootin and clothes to the title Cowboy.  Good work Sam

[Badlands Walker]

Salute!