Political Quotes

“I rise today to honor the life of an agricultural icon, Pat O'Toole. I am here in a bipartisan way with both Senators from Wyoming and both Senators from Colorado to talk about this remarkable man, who is a true cowboy and a dear friend. Pat passed away from complications following his stroke, on February 25. He was surrounded by his family, including his loving wife Sharon. Pat and Sharon met when they were students together at Colorado State University. They have three wonderful children and six grandchildren. We are honored to be joined today in the Senate Gallery by Pat's wife Sharon, along with their daughter, Bridget, and their granddaughter, Siobhan. Pat and Sharon own and operate Ladder Ranch. It is located outside Savery, WY, along the Little Snake River. The ranch straddles the State lines of Wyoming and Colorado, which is why all four Senators are here today on the floor to pay honor, tribute, and recognition to this remarkable man. It is a large-scale cattle and sheep operation. It has been in Sharon's family since 1881. That is 9 years before Wyoming became a State. We are talking about a long history. Pat and Sharon liked to tell people--they did when they came to Washington, and Pat would when he testified here on Capitol Hill--that they raised ``cattle, sheep, horses, dogs, and children.'' They did it and do it very well. I deeply admire Pat for his passionate work on conservation, on water, and on agriculture.…”