Sacramento
– A resolution recently passed by the state legislature names
Saturday as
”
National Day of the American Cowboy.
”
Sacramento – A resolution recently passed by the state legislature names Saturday as “National Day of the American Cowboy.”
The resolution, which was authored by District 12 state Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), who represents San Benito County, passed both houses of the legislature late last month.
“The cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, patriotism, a strong work ethic and continues to play a significant role in America’s culture and economy,” Denham said. “The cowboy loves, lives off of and depends on the land and its creatures.”
Local cowboy and rancher John Hodges said he appreciated the recognition.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” he said.
Hodges added, however, that its becoming tougher and tougher for ranchers to make it in California because of encroaching development and an ever-increasing cost of doing business.
“These days, if you really want to be a cowboy you have to go to Wyoming or Nebraska,” he said.
There are about 800,000 ranchers in the United States, according to the resolution, and rodeo is the sixth most popular sport.
“The cowboy is an American icon and to recognize the cowboy is to acknowledge America’s ongoing commitment to the esteemed and enduring code of conduct,” the resolution states. “The ongoing contributions made by cowboys to their communities deserve recognition and encouragement.”
Denham will present the “National Day of the American Cowboy” resolution to California Rodeo President Jim Slaten on Saturday, during the 96th annual California Rodeo in Salinas.
San Benito County held its own annual rodeo last month.
