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The Day
of The Cowboy
by
Garry Stauber
 Willy
Nelson summed it up for me when he sang, "I grew up a-dreamin' of
being a Cowboy and learnin' the Cowboy way." I think most boys and
even plenty of girls who grew up in my generation wanted to obtain Cowboy
or Cowgirl status at some point in their life. Did you ever want to be a
Cowboy or a Cowgirl?
I
guess what isn’t normal about some of us is that we never grew out of
it. Though I spent most of my adult life climbing the career ladder to
become an executive in Silicon Valley, I always felt like I was a fish out
of water, or at least a fish in the wrong lake. I certainly felt more at
home in a saddle than a boardroom full of suits and ties.
But
the real question is: What do you have to do to obtain that lofty title of
"cowboy" and become worthy of its implications? We have all
heard of "wanna-be" or "drugstore" cowboys. My
grandfather rode horses and did ranch and farm work his entire life. Yet
he didn’t consider himself worthy of the title and was even embarrassed
when he wore his cowboy hat, as if he hadn’t earned that prestigious
right.
Now
that I have returned to my roots and spend most of my day training and
starting horses, I wonder if I can really call myself a cowboy? To finally
answer the question of "What is a cowboy?" I turned to Webster's
Dictionary. The dictionary says:
cow·boy
Pronunciation: -"boi Function: noun
1 : one who tends cattle or horses; especially : a usually mounted
cattle-ranch hand
2 : a rodeo performer
"Someone
who tends to horses." Have I finally achieved my childhood dream? Am
I a real cowboy? Yeepie Kaiaay! And just in time. Finally, after all these
years, the United States Senate named the cowboy a national icon and
dedicated a National American Cowboy Day to represent and appropriately
celebrate his and her role in the development of the United States..
The
resolution reads as follows:
S.
Res. 138
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 Cowboy''; and
(2) encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with
appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Wow,
this is probably the only document written by a modern day U.S. Senate
that I read more than once and the whole thing. This document states what
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 . . ."
That is a much tougher standard than Webster's criteria, but I like it and
I’m up for the job. Sign me in!
 Not
only does the Senate recognize our contribution of the past, but also
today, and even recognizes we cowboys have a code of conduct. Isn’t it a
bit amusing that the U.S. Senate would recognize our code of conduct. But
I will not digress to ponder that irony any further. I kind of like that
we have a code of conduct and will commit to take it seriously. What could
be a better "code of conduct" than to take care of our
environment and its animals, and contribute greatly to our communities? A
code which says I will be honest, show integrity, courage, compassion,
respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism. Okay, I can do that or at
least try.
And
now that the U.S. Senate decrees that we observe the day with appropriate
ceremonies and activities, I think I will spend most of that day riding a
horse. Of course, that is what I do almost every day, but more importantly
on the "Day of the Cowboy." So if at one time in your life you
desired to get decked out in cowboy or cowgirl attire, go ahead. On July
23, put on your cowboy hat, denim jeans and boots and join me. Ride down
the road with pride and tip your hat with dignity to the passers-by you
encounter. This is your day! And yes, if your heart desires it . . . you
are an official cowboy or cowgirl! Since I am now one, I voted you in. The
U.S. Senate has given us our own day. Let’s celebrate it with pride!
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