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joint resolution NO. _____________
By Request of the ****
A joint resolution of
the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana supporting
the 100th anniversary of the livingston roundup rodeo's 100 buckin' years event.
WHEREAS, in 1924 Charley Murphy, owner of the Ox
Yoke Ranch, now known as the Mountain Sky Ranch, and other Livingston residents
held the inaugural 3-day rodeo on Labor Day weekend, later known as the
Livingston Roundup Rodeo, with $2,500 in prize money-equivalent to $43,300 in 2024; and
WHEREAS, in 1924 a Livingston Roundup Rodeo
ticket could be purchased for $1 from the rodeo office located across the
street from the Park Hotel; and
WHEREAS, this "Rodeo and Jamboree"
event included 3 days of rodeo and 2 days of parades, dances, and other
entertainment in which "Livingston Streets were filled with exemplars of
the early western days swaggering about in bow-legged chaps and eye-filling
shirts" (quoted from the 1924 Livingston Enterprise); and
WHEREAS, the Rodeo was held on the
"island"-now the Park
County Fairgrounds-followed by a
dance at the "island pavilion", with other activities occurring in
downtown Livingston designed not to "imitate the Bozeman roundup"
(quoted from the 1924 Livingston Enterprise, quoting the Bozeman Chronicle);
and
WHEREAS, the Livingston Roundup Association was
incorporated in 1928 with a stated purpose "to give shows, rodeos,
roundups, to hold riding contests, roping contests, bull-dogging contests,
horse races and to give on any and all other amusements in the City of
Livingston or other places in the County of Park and any and all money or
profit over and above any and all expense of the operation shall be used for
the purpose of advertising the County of Park and for the purpose of beautifying
the City of Livingston, Montana"; and
WHEREAS, 100 years seems like forever, but on
July 2, 3, and 4, 2024, the century mark for the Livingston Roundup Rodeo will
be reached; and
WHEREAS, rodeos, such as the Livingston Roundup
Rodeo, pay homage and tribute to the rich western history, heritage, and
lifestyle of the State of Montana and its residents; and
WHEREAS, agriculture and tourism are important
foundations to the economy of the State of Montana; and
WHEREAS, the Livingston Roundup Rodeo is now
sanctioned by both the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and the Women's
Professional Rodeo Association with an estimated purse of $250,000 and is
attended by approximately 15,000 spectators; and
WHEREAS, these rodeo spectators come not only from
Park and Gallatin Counties, but a substantial portion come from all over the
United States, Canada, and Europe, as the Livingston Roundup Rodeo has become a
destination event for those vacationing in Montana and Yellowstone National
Park.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate
and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That in 2024 there will be a celebration of the 100
Buckin' Years of the Livingston Roundup Rodeo.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all are encouraged to help
plan, develop, participate in, and attend the 100 Buckin' Years event in
Livingston, Park County, Montana, on July 2, 3, and 4, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send
a copy of this resolution to the Governor, all state agency directors, and to
each member of the Montana Congressional
Delegation.
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________