Daines Honors Montanan of the Week: Jess Lockwood of Volborg

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today recognized Jess Lockwood of Volborg who moved into the top spot of the Professional Bull Riders world rankings earlier this week.

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Daines’ recognition in the Congressional Record is available here.

Through his “Montanan of the Week” initiative, Daines each week will highlight a Montanan by submitting a statement of recognition in the official Congressional Record, the document that reflects the official proceedings of Congress.

Daines welcomes anyone to nominate fellow Montanans for Daines’ “Montanan of the Week” program by calling Daines’ office at 202-224-2651 or by filling out the contact form on Daines’ website: http://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve

The following is the statement submitted to the Congressional Record:

MONTANAN OF THE WEEK 

Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, this week, I have the distinct honor of recognizing Jess Lockwood, a tough-as-nails cowboy from Volborg, Montana.  Earlier this week, Jess moved into the top spot of the Professional Bull Riders world rankings.  In the early stages of this bull riding season, Jess has shared his talent with rodeo fans across the nation. From Sacramento to New York City, Jess has tackled the challenge of competing at the highest level and made Big Sky Country proud while doing it.  Bull riding is a young person’s sport, and that maxim is brought to life by this 19-year-old cowboy from the rolling hills of southeastern Montana.

When asked about his success in the sport, Jess replied with graceful Montana simplicity: “I just have to keep staying on my bulls and doing my job.” In the world of bull riding, and in life itself, Jess Lockwood’s Montana wisdom rings true.  Jess focuses on what needs to be accomplished and gets the job done.  And he didn’t arrive at his level of success by circumstance, coincidence, good fortune, or luck.  His accomplishments are the fruit of efforts sown many years in advance, and watered by a steady stream of hard work. In high school, these successful habits led Jess to three Montana High School Rodeo State Championships.

Back home in Montana, we all hope that his string of success continues, and are confident he has what it takes to maintain his performance. Jess has confidence in his ability too, and you need confidence if you’re going to ride a nearly two thousand-pound bull.  His clarity of purpose to rise to the top in his chosen field should be refreshing and rejuvenating to us all. Reflecting on his accomplishments, Jess expressed his approach this way, “You just have to show up each weekend and expect yourself to win,” and added “If you are showing up each weekend, if you are not planning on winning, what is the point really?”  Prepare, show up, and do your best: that sounds like a Montana recipe for success. 

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