Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, it is a privilege to be here today, joined by my colleague from Wyoming, Senator Cynthia Lummis, and my colleague from Delaware, the chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senator Tom Carper, to honor this incredible woman, Dessie Bebout.

Senator Lummis is absolutely right. I attended the funeral of this 102-year-old just a couple of weeks ago. We were in Riverton, WY, for the services as she was laid to rest with military honors in Hudson, WY, and thought what an opportunity to name a post office after someone who has given so much to their country, as well as to the Postal Service.

It is wonderful to be working with Senator Tom Carper again on an issue of great interest to both of us because he was a senior partner when, a few years ago, we named a post office in Thermopolis, WY, after Bob Brown, a World War II hero who then was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in Korea and served 41 years at the Thermopolis Post Office before he retired as the postmaster. So I come to the floor today, along with our colleagues, to introduce a bill to honor the legacy of this remarkable woman, Dessie A. Bebout of Shoshoni, WY.

She was really a trailblazer for women in Wyoming because she was a patriot. She honorably served our country during World War II. She was one of the first to raise her hand, take the oath, and volunteer as she did for this remarkable group of individuals who volunteered: the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service in World War II, the WAVES.

She was born in Hudson, WY--a very small community--in 1920. If you haven't ever been to Hudson, there is a small Main Street. And since Hudson didn't have a doctor, Dessie was born with the help of a midwife. She was the fourth of nine children. They worked very hard supporting the family business that was the Svilar family. Her maiden name was Svilar. They had the Svilar's bar and restaurant, the Svilars' Light and Power company--they provided libations as well as electricity--and the Svilars' derby bar. It is a small town, but two bars make for a smalltown charm. The Svilars' bar and restaurant is still open today. So, if you ever get to Hudson, stop in because they have the best steaks you are going to ever find anywhere.

Her life experience is one, really, that highlighted her legendary work ethic. After graduating from Fremont County Vocational High School in Lander, she worked for the Fremont County Extension service and at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 changed the United States and the world forever, and it certainly changed her. Being willing to serve the country, to step forward, is part of the Wyoming bloodstream.

When she joined and went to New York City for basic training and was then stationed in Seattle, WA, she reconnected with a young man who she had met previously in Hudson, Herbert ``Hugh'' Bebout. After a few months of writing letters, they were married in 1943. He was an enlisted man in the U.S. Air Force.

After World War II ended, he was discharged; and, along with Dessie, they came home to Wyoming. They started a family and had four children: Eli, Ruby, Nick, and David. Eli was speaker of the house in the Wyoming Legislature. Ruby runs the Wyoming public television. Nick played football for the University of Wyoming and then for the NFL.

Dessie's life and family and giving just continued to grow. She started her career in the Postal Service in 1962. She rose to postmaster for Shoshoni, WY, where she served for 13 years. In 1975, Dessie retired as the Shoshoni postmaster, where she had earned the Order of the Vest. It is the highest award given to postmasters.

Although she had retired from the Postal Service, her work and community service didn't stop. She served as a Fremont County election judge, for the Shoshoni Chamber of Commerce, on the Shoshoni PTA, on the Wyoming women's commission, on the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary, and on the Riverton hospital board, among many organizations.

As a result of her military and civic service, she was awarded with the Wyoming Woman of Distinction award from the Wyoming women's commission, and she received the Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her accolades and awards didn't stop there. She even had her own holiday because, in 2022, the mayor of Hudson, Mike Anderson, declared May 30 as Dessie Bebout Day.

Now, she had--I think the Senator from Wyoming said--13 grandchildren. As they spoke at the funeral--as a number of them did-- there were those who claimed to be the favorite grandchild, but since Kara Calvert is here today, the granddaughter of Dessie Bebout, I think we will let Kara put upon herself that accolade.

Dessie Bebout truly exemplifies the Code of the West, which is, in Wyoming, you live each day with courage; you take pride in your work; and you do what needs to be done. Cowboys never complain. Cowboys never quit. If somebody were hungry, she would feed them--a remarkable woman. If they were sick, she would care from them.

I am proud to be joined by both Senator Carper and Senator Lummis today in introducing this legislation to rename the post office in Shoshoni, WY, as the ``Dessie A. Bebout Post Office.'' Naming it after Dessie is going to ensure her legacy carries on for future generations of Wyoming's men and women.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source