Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages S3101-S3102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CODY STAMPEDE RODEO
Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, this year, the Cody Stampede Rodeo is
celebrating its 100th anniversary. This is a milestone for the
Stampede, for Cody, and for Wyoming. One hundred years of the Cody
Stampede Rodeo represents 100 years of us living life the cowboy way.
The cowboy and the rodeo is an integral part of our culture, and this
100th anniversary is a chance to celebrate this long standing history.
The rodeo has long been a part of Wyoming history. Wyoming is often
referred to as the Cowboy State as a reference to its cowboy culture.
At the heart of cowboy culture lies the rodeo. We hold rodeos all over
the State in almost every single town.
Rodeo is in some ways the West's ambassador to the world. With our
bucking horse license plate and visitors' conceptions of the Wild West,
cowboys and rodeo are what they see and expect to see first. Through
the efforts of all who participate, the sport of rodeo continues to
grow. It is a part of western tradition that can be shared and enjoyed
by visitors and residents alike.
The rodeo is a part of our livelihood that is unique to the Cowboy
State and the West. The relationship between the rodeo and the West is
much like the relationship between a cowboy and his horse. Few pairings
have produced a more perfect partnership and the image of a cowboy and
his horse remains an American icon. When one imagines a cowboy, he is
rarely without his horse companion.
The American cowboy represents the greatest parts of the American
West: our courage, honor, and hard work ethic. The cowboy way provides
an ethical code for cowboys to live by. All rodeo participants embody
this cowboy way when competing in the arena, providing the world with a
prime example of the code all Wyomingites live by.
Cody is nicknamed the Rodeo Capitol of the World. Rodeo in Cody began
over 100 years ago with William Frederick ``Buffalo Bill'' Cody and his
Wild West Show. The Wild West Show was never formally held in Cody but
the tryouts for the show were held right behind the Irma Hotel. In
1913, Buffalo Bill closed his Wild West Show. He hosted one last parade
and rodeo in Cody for the prince of Monaco.
In 1917, Buffalo Bill passed away and with that ended a fascinating
chapter in the story of the American Wild West. In 1919, Clarence
Williams led the effort to establish a rodeo celebration in Cody to
commemorate Buffalo Bill and the Old West he personified. Every summer
since 1919, people from all over come to watch cowboys compete in the
Cody Stampede Rodeo, as well as the rodeos held every night from June
to Labor Day.
For its centennial year, the Cody Stampede Board is being inducted
into the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. This is a great
accomplishment for the town and the Stampede.
Caroline Lockhart was the founder and first president of the Cody
Stampede Board. Caroline was considered a liberated, independent women
ahead of her time. She was described as someone ``with a spirit as wild
as the West.'' Last November, she was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of
Fame. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which
granted women the right to vote across the country, it is important to
recognize Wyoming's history of women leaders, like Caroline. Caroline
Lockhart is a great example of the trailblazer nature of our great
State.
As a trailblazer State, women in Wyoming were voting long before the
19th Amendment was passed. Wyoming is coming up on the 150th
anniversary of women's suffrage. In December 1869, Wyoming's
territorial legislature became the first government in the world to
grant women the right to vote. Called the Equality State, we have the
distinction of having the first woman to serve as Governor and the
first woman to vote in the world. Rodeo exemplifies the nature of the
Equality State through its history of inclusion and acceptance.
There are many great sports, but there are probably none as demanding
or difficult as Rodeo. That is why it continues to grow in popularity
and participation. It requires a tremendous combination of athletic
ability, concentration, and dedication from its participants. It takes
a lot of courage to face the challenges of the sport and give it your
very best.
Rodeo also does a lot to build character and increase the self-
confidence
[[Page S3102]]
of those who participate in the sport. Best of all, it is something the
whole family can take part in, either in the arena or in the stands,
cheering family and friends on to victory.
The hard work of those who compete in rodeos represents the ``can
do'' spirit of the West. It is great to see the entire community come
together year after year as volunteers, participants, and fans for the
Cody Stampede Rodeo. Again, I congratulate Cody on their 100th
anniversary of the Cody Stampede Rodeo and wish the best for another
100 years of doing things the Cowboy way.
____________________
