CHEYENNE — The principles of “cowboy ethics” became part of Wyoming law as Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed legislation Wednesday adopting an official Wyoming state code.
The symbolic measure spells out 10 ethics derived from a “Code of the West” outlined in a book by author and retired Wall Street investor James Owen.
The ethics code carries no criminal penalties and is not meant to replace any civil codes.
The state code admonishes residents and lawmakers to live courageously, take pride in their work, finish what they start, do what’s necessary, be tough but fair, keep promises, ride for the brand, talk less and say more, remember that some things aren’t for sale, and know where to draw the line.
Sponsor Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Glenrock, said Owen’s book captured his interest and that he was inspired to introduce the bill after seeing the December premiere of a related video project, “The Code of the West: Alive and Well in Wyoming.”
“There’s a work ethic in all things that we do, particularly in government,” Anderson said.
Brent Hathaway, dean of the University of Wyoming College of Business, keeps a copy of the cowboy code hanging above his desk.
“It’s a nice way to remind the young people or the businesspeople that come into my office to say this is how we believe we should act toward one another and what we should be,” Hathaway said.
