WYOMING – This Saturday will be a day for the cowboy. The United States Senate just made it so.
In a tribute to the hard working men and women that helped establish the American West, the US Senate declared July 28, 2018 National Day of the American Cowboy. The resolution, which the Senate passed unanimously on yesterday, was introduced by US Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-ND.
Started in 2005 by US Senator Craig Thomas, the National Day of the American Cowboy traditionally coincides each year with Cheyenne Frontier Days. The resolution honors the culture, traditions and values of the American Cowboy way of life that are still alive today.
The resolution states: “The cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism,” and that the cowboy archetype “transcends ethnicity, gender, geographic boundaries, and political affiliations.”
Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators John Barrasso, R-Wyo., James Risch, R-Idaho., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., John Hoeven, R-ND, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, John Thune, R-SD, James Inhofe, R-Okla., Jon Tester, D-Mont., Tom Udall, D-NM, Mike Rounds, R-SD, Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Dean Heller, R-Nev.
Wyoming passed its own legislation some eight years ago, declaring “The Code of the West” as the official state code of Wyoming. It was signed into law on March 3, 2010. Wyoming is the first state to adopt a code of ethics.
The Act designates 10 ethics derived from the book “Cowboy Ethics” by James P. Owen:
- Live each day with courage.
- Take pride in your work.
- Always finish what you start.
- Do what has to be done.
- Be tough, but fair.
- When you make a promise, keep it.
- Ride for the brand
- Talk less, say more.
- Remember that some things are not for sale.
- Know where to draw the line.
