By Eli Bebout
Dick Cheney was a long-time friend and colleague. He will be missed. His journey from Natrona County High School football stand-out to vice president of the United States is a quintessential Wyoming story – rugged, ambitious, and steeped in public service.
Born in Nebraska but raised in Wyoming, his formative years in Casper and at the University of Wyoming, would shape a man who became one of the most effective and powerful vice presidents in United States history.
Dick’s legacy, will in my opinion, be first and foremost, as a true statesman who always put country first but who never forgot his Wyoming values and sensibility.
Whether he was Congressman Cheney or Vice President Cheney, he could walk into a store or radio station, crack a joke and immediately put people at ease, reminding them that he was one of them, a Wyoming man.
Dick told a story that illustrated his sense of humor and ability to put people at ease.
During his time as a congressman, he often hit the campaign trail, competing with Sen. Al Simpson, the famous bon vivant and humorist, for time and attention.
Dick was scheduled to appear on a local chit chat radio show one morning. The radio station was located on the outskirts of the community and had recently been sold and converted into a home.
Dick was unaware the station had moved locations and was running late. He went to the front door of what he thought was the radio station and walked in without knocking.
A startled woman was standing there clutching her robe. She demanded to know what Dick thought he was doing.
Without missing a beat, he replied, “Hi I’m Al Simpson. I thought this was the radio station.”
This story, told many times by both Dick and Al at gatherings across the state, has become a Wyoming political legend.
In addition to his sense of humor, Cheney was known for his skill with a flyrod, his plain-spoken demeanor, his deep respect for the Constitution and his ability to think strategically.
Cheney’s ability to listen, lead, and act with conviction are traits that served him well during his political career, both in Wyoming and in Washington.
Dick Cheney, the man from Wyoming who made it big on the world stage, will forever be a source of pride for Wyoming and that is why I honor his memory.
By Ray Hunkins
I wasn’t always a Dick Cheney fan. In fact, I don’t think I ever voted for him in a primary when he had credible opposition.
As time went by over his decade of service as Wyoming’s congressman, credible opposition dwindled. I do know that I cast a ballot for him in the six general elections he ran for office in Wyoming.
My reluctance to get on Dick’s bandwagon had to do with his lack of military service. I did an “about face” (pun intended) in 1988 – 1989.
In the fall of 1988, my client, Platte County School District No. 1, extended an invitation to Congressman Cheney to deliver the commencement address at Wheatland High School in May of the following year, 1989.
The congressman accepted and we (the school district) felt very good about having the foresight to get a commitment for a commencement speaker such as Congressman Cheney before other school districts did.
Alas, our good cheer at early preparation was crushed when President George H.W. Bush nominated Congressman Cheney to serve in his cabinet as Secretary of Defense.
Before our school board could convene to discuss the development, which suggested a replacement speaker would most likely be required, Cheney was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a process that took less than a week.
That Cheney’s confirmation process was so fast was both a testament to bi-partisan cooperation in those days, but especially to the high regard in which Dick Cheney was held by his colleagues in Washington.
Eventually, contact was made with the office of the secretary of defense, an explanation was given to the assistant in the secretary’s office, and a promise made to get back with the secretary’s response soon.
Within 24 hours a call came back from the Secretary of Defense’s office that, “the secretary has every intention of keeping his commitment to your school district”.
Problem solved!
That’s how the graduating class of 1989 at Wheatland High School, all 92 of them, received good and important advice from a good and important man, a man who believed in keeping his commitments.
That’s also how I became a believer in, and supporter of, Dick Cheney. “Promises made, promises kept” has always appealed to me as a beacon of character.
After commencement, the good people of Wheatland held a reception at the Wheatland Country Club for Secretary Cheney and his entourage, which included Paul Wolfowitz, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and several others.
It was quite an event in our home-town, made possible by a man who kept a promise to the people of Wheatland.
That’s why I celebrate the memory, accomplishments and character of Dick Cheney.
Eli Bebout is a former Speaker of the Wyoming House and President of the Wyoming Senate. In 2002 he was the Republican Nominee for Governor.
Ray Hunkins is a retired attorney and rancher and was the Republican nominee for Governor in 2006.
