Senate Resolution No. 1845

BY: Senator FLANAGAN

COMMENDING the Gerry Rodeo upon the occasion of
celebrating its 75th Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life of the citizens of New York State are greatly
enriched by the availability of exceptional recreational organizations
which have become an important part of the history of our State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Gerry Rodeo, the longest running Professional Rodeo Cowboys'
Association (PRCA) rodeo east of the Mississippi River, upon the
occasion of its 75th Anniversary to be celebrated from July 31, 2019,
through August 3, 2019; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will begin with opening night
festivities followed by a myriad of events throughout the next few days;
during this time, the quiet Village of Gerry, New York, becomes "The
Rodeo Capital of the East" as approximately 200 professional cowboys and
cowgirls roll into town to compete for prizes; and

WHEREAS, The Gerry Rodeo, sponsored by the Gerry Volunteer Fire
Department, got its start in 1945, when a former working cowboy named
Jack Cox suggested a rodeo as a way of raising money for the newly
formed fire department; his dream became a reality as members of the
department and other volunteers in 70 days turned four acres of
swampland into an arena and parking lot in time for the arrival of the
renowned Colonel Jim Eskew and the livestock that first year; and

WHEREAS, In those early days the stock arrived by train in the
middle of the hamlet, traffic was stopped, and the animals were herded
down the middle of Route 60 to the rodeo grounds by volunteers; now, the
stock arrives by modern semi-trucks, and several hundred volunteers of
all ages pitch in to make the event possible each year, filling jobs
from painting fences to serving the famous beef barbeque dinners; and

WHEREAS, The Gerry Fire Department felt from the beginning that
their rodeo should be "top-notch" so they have always contracted for a
rodeo sanctioned by the PRCA; the contractor for this year's event will
again be Painted Pony Championship Rodeo of Lake Luzerne, New York,
owned by the husband and wife team of Shawn and Shana Graham, who will
be bringing more than 100 head of stock for the competition; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, many improvements have been made to
the rodeo facilities; additional land has been acquired, permanent
bleachers have been installed in an arena seating 4,000, new lighting
turns night to day, and the old dining hall has been enlarged,
refurbished, and air-conditioned to accommodate the hundreds who come
each year; and

WHEREAS, Today, the rodeo consists of the same competitive events it
did 75 years ago: bareback bronc riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc
riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and cowgirls' barrel

racing, with all the entrants competing for prizes which counts toward
qualification for the National Finals Rodeo; and

WHEREAS, In addition, there are specialty acts such as trick riding,
animal acts, and clowns; a recently added feature allows young
spectators to enter the arena to compete for prizes as they chase
ribbons tied to calves' tails, and the kids' rodeo will be held on
Saturday; and

WHEREAS, Over the years the profits from the rodeos has enabled the
Fire Department to purchase modern fire and rescue equipment for the
protection of the residents of the town; currently, the Department has
two pumpers, a tanker, a rescue truck, an ATV with trailer, and a
state-of-the-art ambulance to respond to more than 300 calls per year;
and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Gerry
Rodeo may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks forward
to continuing to serve the recreational needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Gerry Rodeo upon the occasion of celebrating its 75th
Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Gerry Rodeo.