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Parker and Christensen belong in the Cowboy Hall of Fame

It wasn’t long ago that the idea of a hall of fame for North Dakota cowboys and ranchers was struggling to take off. Today, with many classes of inductees under their big belt, the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame is truly a success.

Plans for the organization were discussed in 1994 and within just a few years riders, rodeos – even champion horses themselves – were being forever remembered through induction into the hall of fame.

N.D. Cowboy Hall of Fame trustees vote on the nominees by mail-in ballot, and this year’s class includes one of the most colorful characters in Minot’s history, the late Clarence Parker. Parker was a cattle and buffalo rancher, an experienced horseman – a former professional jockey in fact – a prominent Minot businessman and widely known back in his day as the owner of prize race horses.

Parker was a great pick for the hall of fame. His legacy so parallels Minot’s; both the man and the city shared such a rich history. Honoring Parker and keeping his memory alive in yet another way is the right thing to do, so the trustees are to be commended.

Also being inducted this year is the late Paul Christensen of Sawyer. Christensen was a longtime educator at Burdick Job Corps Center in Minot and longtime volunteer with a number of organizations and programs, many inspiring young people in western life.

Christensen was a member of a younger generation than that of Parker, but they were similar in many ways – their support for and love of community as well as their shared love for the Western way of life.

Christensen was another great pick. The trustees chose especially well this year.

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