RECOGNIZING NATHANIEL "REX" PUREFOY, THE "HOLLYWOOD COWBOY"

RECOGNIZING NATHANIEL "REX" PUREFOY, THE "HOLLYWOOD COWBOY"

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E175-E176] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING NATHANIEL ``REX'' PUREFOY, THE ``HOLLYWOOD COWBOY'' ______ HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER of missouri in the house of representatives Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor Kansas City's very own ``Hollywood Cowboy,'' Nathaniel ``Rex'' Purefoy, who has dedicated his life to preserving the legacy and culture of African American cowboys through performances and storytelling. Let us take a moment to recognize this extraordinary individual in Missouri's 5th Congressional District who has captivated the public with his unique horsemanship and roping techniques for over 50 years. African American cowboys were an essential part of American history in the various territories and into statehood for many states. They worked on ranches and in cattle drives on trails coming through mid- western states such as Missouri and Kansas before the Civil War and through the early 1900s. They also performed in rodeos when not on the trail. In Kansas City, native Rex Purefoy further contributed to ensuring that generations upon generations did not forget about African American cowboy culture but rather embrace its heritage and celebrate it. Along with his loyal partner, his horse Ringo, Rex brought his famous ``Hollywood Cowboy Show,'' a performance full of rope twirling, music, and Western fashion across the United States. As an avid trick-roper and horseman, Rex traveled across state lines performing in rodeos, shows, parades, and even performed with the Barnum and Bailey Circus and The UniverSoul Circus for many years. In addition to his own shows and live performances, Rex was a special guest star in [[Page E176]] the 1970s ``The Flip Wilson Show'' and had cameo roles in movies and local Kansas City area television programs. As a testament to his talents, Rex appeared in a critically acclaimed movie with boxing legend Muhammad Ali entitled ``The Black Rodeo,'' in 1972. Rex's commitment to create not only an entertaining performance but one that would leave the audience with a lasting memory of African American culture led to him being recognized nationally, becoming an inductee of the National Cowboys of Color Museum and the Hall of Fame. Beyond his work as a performer, Rex has found other ways to further protect the legacy of African American cowboys. Working as a photographer, Rex has documented other African American cowboys and the Black community, submitting the works to noted Black publications to preserve their history. He has contributed to numerous photographs to African American publications, such as Jet Magazine, Ebony Magazine, The Kansas City Call newspaper, The Kansas City GLOBE newspaper, The Next Page KC newspaper, The Carolina Times, and the New Jersey Gazette. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating the contributions that Nathaniel ``Rex'' Purefoy has provided to the African American community and the United States overall. We thank Rex for sharing a piece of history with our community and feel more at ease knowing that the legacy of African American cowboys has been preserved for years to come. ____________________