Former Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead was named “Citizen of the West” at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Tuesday, joining a list of notable Wyomingites who have been given the honor.
“I was just so honored to get it because I know the caliber of people who are past recipients,” Mead told Cowboy State Daily. “I don’t know if I deserve to be on that list.”
He was selected for the award, which is given annually, because of his respect for land conservation and his reputation as a consensus-builder during his tenure as governor from 2011-2019, according to reports from the stock show.
“They kept it pretty secret who was going to get the award this year, so I was surprised to receive it,” said Mead, who also served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming from 2001-2007.
Grandfather Also On The List
Mead’s grandfather, Cliff Hansen, was named Citizen of the West in 1996. He also was a former Wyoming governor and U.S. senator.
Some other prominent Wyomingites who have received the award include retired U.S. Sen. Al Simpson in 1990, and former Gov. Mike Sullivan in 2016.
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney received it in 1993, and his wife, Lynn, was the 2012 Citizen of the West.
